Context (References)
cf: Museum of London (1940) 'Medieval Catalogue' London: London Museum Catalogues
Event Date 1940
Author: David Kay

Context (Analysis)
Cf. London Museum Medieval Catalogue Plate XXXI, no. 44 - a Type III key from Maze Pond, S.E., London. Type III keys date from throughout the Medieval period, but are characterised by a solid shank and welded bit. In contrast, though its cause remains unclear, the crack in the shank of this key may have resulted in an integral weakness stemming from a possible construction method based on the shank and bit being rolled together from a single sheet of metal. This method is characteristic of Type II rather than Type III keys, and dates from the 11th-13th centuries, though no examples of Type II keys in the London Catalogue resemble this particular key in form. As such, the Period field has been filled simply as 'Medieval'.
Event Date 22/1/2019
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Key with oval bow, sub-cylindrical pipe shank, and single bit cut with key wards to all edges to form a comb-shape. The shank is cracked from from the bit back two-thirds of the way towards the bow, and the entire outer surface of the object is somewhat corroded.
Event Date 22/1/2019
Author: David Kay