MEDIEVAL CHURCH CHRISTMAS TOKEN FOUND

 

Archaeologists have discovered a token that would have been used to buy food at Christmas about 500 years ago.

Believed to be from Bury St Edmunds Abbey in Suffolk, it was found about 30 miles (48km) away at the Oxburgh Estate, Norfolk.

In the medieval era, a Boy Bishop would hand out tokens to the poor to spend on food at the church over Christmas.

The token was found during an archaeological survey in West Park at the estate, near Swaffham, and dates from between 1470 and 1560.

"We believe that one of the inhabitants from Oxborough village must have made the long trip to Bury St Edmunds to see the festive ceremonies in the massive Abbey Church, where they may have acquired the token," said archaeologist Angus Wainwright.

The tokens came in equivalent sizes to a penny, half-penny and groat - a former British coin worth fourth pennies - but had no real monetary value.

The National Trust said the token found on the Oxburgh Estate was the size of a groat, depicting a long cross on one well-preserved side.

The reverse was very corroded but probably would have shown the head of a bishop representing St Nicholas.

To read the complete article, see:
Bury St Edmunds Christmas token found at Oxburgh Estate (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-67750116)

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