Bury St Edmunds Christmas token unearthed in Norfolk

National Trust archaeologists have unearthed a 600-year-old Christmas token near Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk. The token, dating between 1470 and 1560, is believed to have originated from Bury St Edmunds Abbey in Suffolk, nearly 30 miles away.

The token was likely distributed by a choirboy acting as the “Boy Bishop” during the Christmas period. The Boy Bishop tradition, prevalent in medieval and early Tudor times, involved choosing a choirboy to parody the adult bishop on the Feast Day of St Nicholas, celebrated on December 6. The chosen choirboy would lead religious services, processions, and collect funds for the church, distributing tokens to the poor.

Angus Wainwright, an archaeologist with the National Trust, explained, “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 mᴀssive Abbey Church, where they may have acquired the token.”

The token, made of lead, had equivalent sizes to a penny, halfpenny, and groat. Its well-preserved side depicts a long cross, reminiscent of contemporary coins, while the reverse side, though corroded, would likely have shown the head of a bishop representing St Nicholas.

Wainwright elaborated on the significance of the find, stating, “This discovery shows how rich the cultural life of even the poorest folk could be in the Middle Ages. It’s also interesting that the Christmas period was a time for fun and celebration aimed at children, with a child taking on the role of the bishop, and St Nicholas as the patron saint of children.”

The archaeological survey in West Park at Oxburgh not only revealed the token but also unveiled part of a medieval village, complete with horseshoes, handmade nails, and tools. Additionally, traces of a Roman village were discovered.

“Although tokens could be spent in the local town, they may also have been kept as keepsakes, but the one we have found could also simply have been dropped and lost,” added Wainwright.

The journey of a resident from Oxborough village to Bury St Edmunds, approximately 27 miles away, reflects the lengths people went to partake in festive ceremonies at the mᴀssive Abbey Church. The abbey, once among the largest buildings in Western Europe, would have provided a mind-blowing experience for someone from a tiny village.

As Saints’ days gradually disappeared following the 16th-century Reformation, the tradition of Boy Bishops and the Feast Day of St Nicholas waned. However, the cultural legacy endured, evolving into the modern figure of Santa Claus.

The token, though not a thing of particular beauty, offers a captivating story of medieval Christmas traditions and is currently on display at Oxburgh Hall, a country house built in 1482 by the Bedingfeld family as a statement of power and prestige. The family endured generations of persecution for their Catholic faith.

Related Posts

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

Lost medieval tale The Song of Wade decoded by Cambridge scholars solving 130-year-old Chaucerian mystery

A literary enigma that has puzzled scholars for more than a century might have finally been unraveled. Researchers at Cambridge University have reinterpreted a fragment of the…

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

Medieval Hungarians continued eating horsemeat for centuries despite Christian influence, new study reveals

A recent archaeological study is rewriting our understanding of medieval food and the Christian influence on the foodways of Europe. Contrary to long-held ᴀssumptions that Christianity led…

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

Ancient elk petroglyphs in Mongolia show 12,000-year shift from realism to wolf-like symbols

A new study, published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, reveals an astonishing transformation in elk images in 12,000 years of Altai rock art…

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

Wild hyenas in Tanzania found to disturb prehistoric campsite remains, study shows

A recent expedition to Tanzania by the SCAVENGERS project team has revealed that wild hyenas can significantly alter the archaeological record of early human campsites. Led by…

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Ancient rural settlement in Fordingbridge reveals Iron Age to Roman transition, daily life, and industry

Archaeologists from Cotswold Archaeology have revealed the remains of a previously unknown rural settlement on the western edge of Fordingbridge, Hampshire, England. The excavation, ahead of a…

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Medieval leather treasures unearthed in Oslo reveal shoes, bags, and daily life 700 years ago

Archaeologists excavating Oslo’s historic neighborhood of Bjørvika have uncovered a trove of medieval leather artifacts—over 2,900 pieces, including hundreds of beautifully preserved shoes, bags, and knife sheaths….