Bishops Palace Finds

Copper Alloy Half Penny Coin.

This coin was collected from Trench 3.  On the obverse the heads of William and Mary are depicted, facing right.  On the reverse there is a depiction of Britannia with the date of 1694.  Diameter: 28.86mm; Thickness:  2.46mm; Weight: 10.50g

Copper Alloy Roman Coin

Collected from Trench 1.  The Emperor depicted and date of coin have not yet been confirmed.  It is hoped that this can be done in the future.  Diameter:  23mm; Thickness:  1.84mm; Weight:  4.60g

Iron Horseshoe

This 19th century horseshoe was collected from Trench 2.  It is complete with rectangular calkin on each heel.  The x-ray revealed that there are a total of eight nail holes, four on each side.  There are four nails in place on one side, possibly 'T-headed'.  Length: 117.14mm; Width: 106.80mm; Thickness: 16.54mm; Weight: 178.60g

Glass Bottle Seal

This seal was collected from Trench 2.  It would have been applied to a bottle as a globular of molten glass and impressed with a matrix, having the design engraved into it, producing raised lettering.  The seal was roughly circular and had been broken lengthways, leaving an M on the top line, W on the middle line and 169[ ] on the lower line.  Length: 64.73mm; Width: 46.89mm; Glass Thickness: 22.03mm; Weight: 30.90g.

Lead Window Came:

There were several fragments of window came collected and, due to the softness of lead, most were squashed and'or twisted.  These two fragments, collected from Trench 2, were the best examples, having held their shape well.  They are 'H' cross-section, allowing glass to be held in position on either side.  The fragment on the right still shows the welded join of two pieces to fit around the glass window design.

Fragment 1:  Length: 90.16mm; Width: 8.89mm; Thickness: 4.14mm; Weight:  18.10g

Fragment 2:  Length: 73.13mm; Width:  8.62mm; Thickness: 4.15mm; Weight: 11.40g

Copper Alloy Buckle Fragment

This Post-medieval buckle was collected from Trench 1.  Approximately half of a rectangular cast frame, with rounded corners.  The pin is missing.  The front probably stamped decoration of flowers and foliage, with beaded outer edge.  An x-ray suggests the presence of lead.  Length:  >36.09mm; Width:  52.02mm; Frame Width:  8.22mm; Frame Thickness: 5.29-2.25mm; Weight: 11.30g

Painted Window Glass.

This shard of painted glass was collected from Trench 1.  It is dark green, opaque and decorated with straight lines on one side.  Although the surveys of Bishops Palace do not specifically mention painted glass in the windows, it is probably that such a 'high status' building would have had some painted/stained glass.  Length: 42.54mm; Width: 24.30mm; Thickness: 2.84mm; Weight: 2.50g.

Glass Slag

This large piece of glass slag was found by workmen, prior to the Community Dig starting.  It is opaque, light blue with overfired surfaces and possible pontil iron or blowing iron impression.  It is the by-produce of glass manufacture but, again, unfortunately cannot be determined if directly associated with Bishops Palace.  Length: 164.00mm; Width: 81.15mm; Thickness: 75.83mm; Weight: 1224.60g.

Clay Tobacco Pipe Bowl Fragment

This fragment was collected from Trench 4.  It is of c.1780-1820 date.  The bowl was decorated with Freemasonry symbols, including the joined square and compass, blazing star, the pillars of Boaz and Jachin, and possibly the masonic altar and/or sheaf of corn.

Graffito on Glass

This shard of Post-medieval glass was collected from Trench 2.  It is part of the shoulder from a free-blown bottle and the initials RW have been scratched into the exterior surface.  Length: 61.77mm; Width: 3.70mm; Glass thickness: 3.32mm; Weight: 15.40g.

Ceramic Glazed Roof Finial

This medieval roof furniture was collected from Trench 3 and may be directly associated with the building of Bishops Palace.  During research at Humber Historic Environental Records Office an interpretive drawing of how the Palace may have looked in 1450 was found.  It depicted features that look like finials on the top of the roof.  Glazed roof furniture does suggest that a 'high status' building was in the vicinity.  Height: >99mm; Wall Thickness: 18mm; Top?: 80mm x 63mm (max); Base? of stem/shaft diameter: 53mm; Weight: 357g.

Ceramic Glazed Floor Tile

This medieval floor tile was collected from Trench 4.  Thickness: 32mm; Weight: 112g.