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. 58 - a Type VIIB key from Fresh Wharf, London (though the comparison with must remain tentative given the high degree of corrosion obscuring the form of this particular object). Type VIIB keys with circular/oval bits are reported to date from the 13-14th centuries, whereas those with 'kidney-shaped' (i.e. cusped) bows are characteristic of the 15th century.
Event Date 22/1/2019
Author: David Kay

Description (Physical description)
Key with ovate bow, sub-cylindrical pin shank with protruding toe, and single bit with a series of small key wards cut into the bottom edge. A larger central key ward seems to have once vertically bifurcated the bit, though this is now unclear as the entire object is very heavily corroded. Portions of slightly lesser corrosion on the shank suggest it may once have been octagonal in cross-section, with a narrower circular part forming the toe, though this is now unclear. The bow is also broken at one end of the join with the shank.
Event Date 22/1/2019
Author: David Kay