Record ID: WILT-58801C
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete, large iron medieval to post-medieval rotary key, dating to c. AD 1150-1650. The object resembles a Type 8 key (Saunders, 2012). The bow is kidney-shaped. The stem thickens in the middle, is circular in shape, and extends beyond the bit. The bit is rectangular and symmetrical in shape, indicating it is probably a door key, and has a central cleft. The bit and stem are in line. The key displays significant corrosion, and if there originally was any decoration on the stem or bow, it is no longer visible. The object is covered with corrosion produc…
Created on: Thursday 28th September 2023
Last updated: Monday 18th December 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WILT-58CD7C
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete, large iron Medieval to Post Medieval key, dating to c. AD 1150-1650. The object resembles a Type 8 key (Saunders, 2012). The bow is oval. The stem thickens in the middle, is circular in shape, and extends beyond the bit. The bit is rectangular and symmetrical in shape, indicating it is probably a door key, and has a central cleft. The bit and stem are in line. The key displays some corrosion, and if there originally was any decoration on the stem or bow, it is no longer visible. The object is covered with corrosion products. Dimensio…
Created on: Thursday 28th September 2023
Last updated: Monday 18th December 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WILT-60539C
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete Medieval cast copper alloy casket key, dating to c AD 1100 - 1500. The bow is a sub annular hoop with a collar before an oval section solid stem and symmetrical bit with two transverse wards at the base. The stem has a short, thin projection beyond the bit. Dimensions: 38.0mm in length; 9.2mm wide; 2.94g in weight. Casket keys are the commonest form of Medieval key on the PAS database. These keys were, in fact, probably used on all sorts of small locks, on cupboards, chests, cases, etc. The start and end dates of casket keys are hard to pin down. They may start i…
Created on: Monday 6th March 2023
Last updated: Wednesday 14th June 2023
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DEV-33CB21
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A post medieval copper alloy casket key, dating to c. AD 1500-1600. The bow is a flattened kidney shape, with the outer inset that creates the waist of the kidney very subtle. A small circular depression marks the point where it was attached to the stem, which has three increasingly thick horizontal collars, with a narrowed waist between the first and second collar. The upper part of the stem adjacent to the bit appears hollow, although it is now filled with debris. The bit is E-shaped, formed of three prongs extending from a pyramidal strip to their rear. Measurements: 45.…
Created on: Thursday 28th January 2021
Last updated: Tuesday 2nd February 2021
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: WILT-3651F4
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
An incomplete Roman copper alloy openwork key handle, probably dating to AD 100-410. The surviving fragment comprises of the base of the moulded bow of the key handle, originally in the form of an openwork fleur-de-lys expanding from a collar. The apex of each lobe has been lost. The corroded vestigial remains of an iron shank survive below the collar. The bow is rectangular in cross section. Dimensions: 50mm in length; 28mm in width; 8.3mm thick; 31g in weight. cf. a similar example published by Crummy (1983: 126, no. 4161) from Colchester; a similar moulded key handle, al…
Created on: Monday 6th January 2020
Last updated: Friday 23rd October 2020
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-53C0EF
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy key. A slide key. The bow is circular with two knops on the outer edge. Below the bow at the start of the stem are two small angled knops, one at either side. The stem is hexagonally faceted. At the end nearest the bit is a transverse collar and a round-ended moulding, (possibly a devolved zoomorphic decoration. The bit is flattened and stepped out from the stem and extends into a box-shaped frame. At the mid-point of the long edge adjacent to the stem, the frame has a v-shaped notch and there is a similar, smaller notch in the opposite inner edge. The outer ed…
Created on: Thursday 2nd July 2015
Last updated: Tuesday 8th September 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Tolpuddle', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-B6DD35
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A small copper alloy key. A small rotary casket key. The bow is oval with a kidney-shaped aperture. At the bow end the stem of the key has a long collar divided by two incised lines. The stem is rectangular cross-section and tapers slightly at the tip which extends beyond the rectangular, uncut bit. Date: Post Medieval - 17th to 18th century Dimensions: 32.41 mm x 16.29 mm x 3.94 mm Weight: 3.37 g
Created on: Monday 25th February 2013
Last updated: Wednesday 12th August 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Puddletown', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-96C06B
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete copper alloy rotary medieval casket key. The stem is of circular cross section and hollow. The key appears to have been cast in one piece and has a circular loop bow. At the base of the bow there is a raised collar. The tip of the key is broken. The bit is incomplete, but what remains is curved at the back with a pointed projection an slight indentation on the front edge. Above the bit there is a circular hole has been cut into the hollow stem. The overall patina of the whole key is greenish with slight corrosion inside the loop of the handle and in other indented areas. D…
Created on: Friday 4th March 2016
Last updated: Sunday 26th July 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Owermoigne', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOM-A1051D
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Medieval copper alloy casket key dating from the late 12th to early 14th century. It has a lozenge shaped bow with a circular cnetral hole and a solid oval cross sectioned shank with a projecting pin at the end. There is a slight expanded knop on both faces of the shank at the junction with the bow. The bit is solid and broadly rectangular in form with an indent in the side closer to the terminal. The key measures 32.79mm in length, 9.70mm in width at the bow, 1.55mm in thickness and weighs 1.88g. A similar example can be found in Read (2001:72) no. 558 which he dates to the late …
Created on: Tuesday 24th September 2019
Last updated: Monday 2nd December 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Tarrant Crawford', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: PUBLIC-E5B411
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An iron key (locking) of Medieval to Post-Medieval date. The key has a 'D' shaped' bow at the end of the circular cross-sectioned stem. There is a circular collar just behind the bit nearest the bow. The bit would have comprised two irregular projections, but the furthest one from the bow is broken away at the shaft. Type 8 of the Goodall Classification used at Winchester and Salisbury (Salisbury Medieval Catalogue Volume 4), having a solid shaft projecting beyond the bit. These keys probably date from 1150 through to 1700. The projecting stem is an innovation of the 15th century a…
Created on: Tuesday 5th March 2019
Last updated: Tuesday 15th October 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-8FF913
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A copper alloy Roman Guiraud type 5 key finger-ring (or ring-key) dating to the period c. AD 200 - 410. The hoop has seven external facets, the uppermost serving as the bezel of the S-shaped projecting bit. The key consists of a cylindrical hollow shank with the S-shaped bit extending from it at a right angle. The bit has a serrated edge divided into five rectangular teeth. The finger ring measures 20.27mm in diameter, has an internal diameter of 16.78mm, is 2.37mm thick and weighs 5.13g. The projecting key measures 15.89mm in length, is 18.34mm wide and 4.14mm thick. Similar rotar…
Created on: Thursday 23rd October 2014
Last updated: Tuesday 6th August 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Gussage St Michael', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-038704
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A cast copper rotary key. The terminal of the key is trilobate with a circular aperture at the end on each lobe. There is also a small, rounded knop on the outer edge of each lobe. One lobe is broken. Running from between the lobes are low ridges (four in total). Below these are seven transverse ridges running across the tapering end of the key handle/terminal. The stem of the key is narrowed from the end of the handle and becomes sub-circular in cross section. The stem is hollow. The bit drops down from the end of the stem and the outer edge is flush with it. The bit has a single ang…
Created on: Friday 15th July 2011
Last updated: Friday 19th July 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Near Puddletown', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: SOMDOR-8549D6
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
Cast copper alloy incomplete padlock key with the bit in line with the stem. The bow is tri-lobed with an oval aperture. At the base where the bow joins the stem there is a small projection at ech side. The stem is straight sided and has a flattened rectangular cross section (there is slight casting line along each edge). The above the bit are two small side projections (mirroring those at the bow). What remains of the bit is the upper part of a rectangular frame with two linear projections/bars inside. This is probably a squeeze key for a padlock with babr spring mechanism. Probably …
Created on: Monday 15th May 2006
Last updated: Thursday 18th July 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-FAB445
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Published
A cast copper alloy casket key of Goodall's Winchester type 1. The long drop-shaped bow is openwork with a large curvilinear "keyhole" shaped aperture at the rear and a smaller oval one in front. The stem is short and solid, with a step to a narrowed projecting tip. The bit is rectangular with a single square cleft at the top of the leading edge; at the bottom of the bit is a small right-angled projecting ward, giving the bit an L-shaped cross-section. Dimensions: 33.65 mm x 14.86 mm x 4.73 mm, weight: 9.41 g. This key also belongs to Ward Perkins's London type IA. Kevin Leahy has …
Created on: Tuesday 1st May 2012
Last updated: Thursday 20th June 2019
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Burleston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: DOR-569A01
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A small copper alloy casket key. The bow is trangular. The stem is tapering and ends in a rounded point. The bit has a vertical cleft at the base another parallel to the stem and the wards are angular. The whole key has a flattened rectangular cross section throughout. Date: Post Medieval (probably) - c. 1500 - 1800 Dimensions: 28.5 mm x 14.7 mm x 1.5 mm Weight: 21.0 g
Created on: Tuesday 30th August 2016
Last updated: Wednesday 19th June 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-6054F1
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete copper alloy key of London type IA and Winchester type 2. The stem and bit remain with only the stubs of the (probably drop-shaped) bow. The stem is short and oval in cross-section. The hollow tip is filled with iron corrosion. The bit is a tapered rectangle and openwork with two L-shaped interlocked apertures. At the end of the bit are two small spiked projections which give the bit an L-shaped section. At the opposite end of the key is the remnant of the bow, in the form of a thin, rectangular-sectioned angled projecting arm at one side, a short, rectangular sectioned …
Created on: Monday 24th July 2017
Last updated: Friday 7th June 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-6E063A
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: EARLY MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete but broken copper alloy key, broken in two. The key has a long drop-shaped bow with openwork, foliate decoration. The stem is oval in cross section and tapers to a pointed projecting tip. It has a raised collar at the wide end. The key is broken where the bow meets the collar. The tapered rectangular bit has a central sub-angular aperture. At the base of the bit are two projecting spike-like wards with a cleft between. The wards are set at each of the two bottom corners of the bit and project at right-angles to it. The openwork design set inside the frame of the bow compris…
Created on: Monday 16th March 2015
Last updated: Friday 7th June 2019
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: DOR-3F42F3
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: ROMAN
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete cast copper alloy rotary key dating to c.50 AD - c.200 AD The terminal of the key is trilobate, now missing its probable fleur de lis terminal. The stem continues from the terminal into a bulbous area defined by a collar continuing along the stem to where is narrows to accomodate the bit. The stem is hollow and sub-circular in cross section. The bit drops down from the end of the stem at a right angle and has two circular notches at the outer edge. Part of the tip of the stem is missing on one side. The key is similar to a number of key handles (copper alloy handles whic…
Created on: Wednesday 15th August 2018
Last updated: Tuesday 16th October 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: SOM-6D7315
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A complete Medieval cast copper alloy rotary key dating to c. AD 1150-1400. The key has a sub-circular bow with a circular central perforation. The bow measures 12.7 mm in diameter and thickens toward the shank. The shank measures 21.7 mm in length and 4.0 mm in thickness. It has a sub-rectangular section and tapers toward to a hollow recessed end. The bit measures 9.4 mm in length and 12.6 mm in width. It is very simple with two opposing notches on the upper and lower edge. The key has a dark green patina. The key is similar to Egan (1998:112) no. 294 but with more squared clefts.…
Created on: Friday 17th August 2018
Last updated: Sunday 2nd September 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: PUBLIC-B26391
Object type: KEY (LOCKING)
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
County: Dorset
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A corroded wrought iron rotary key of a post-Medieval date. The bow is incomplete but was probably oval in plan. The stem is of oval cross section, with two baluster mouldings. The stem projects beyond the bit by 9.51 mm. The openwork bit is rectangular in plan, has two wards and three clefts on each side. Bit.22.35 mm x 24.71 mm x8.82 mm. Length of key 115.74 mm. Weight 75g. Probably a door key or gate key dating to the 18th century. For a parallel, see PAS record HAMP-0496A4.
Created on: Monday 6th January 2014
Last updated: Monday 9th July 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Nr Wimborne', grid reference and parish protected.