Archaeologists find medieval Bury St Edmunds Abbey ‘Bishop Boy’ coin at Oxburgh Estate in Norfolk

A medieval Christmas token said to have been from a Suffolk abbey has been found by National Trust archaeologists over the border on a Norfolk estate.

The ‘Bishop Boy’ lead token was found by metal detectorists in West Park on the Oxburgh Estate, which is cared for by the National Trust, as is believed to have come from Bury St Edmunds Abbey – one of the biggest and richest abbeys in the country at the time.

Dating between 1470-1560, the token was found during an archaeological survey of the area.

Angus Wainwright, a National Trust Archaeologist, said: “The token is not a thing of particular beauty, but it does have an interesting story. We undertook metal detecting, field walking and geophysics to find out more about the history of that field.

“The results have been fantastic, revealing not only part of a medieval village including horseshoes, hand-made nails and tools but also part of a Roman village.

“This token most likely comes from Bury St Edmunds Abbey, with St Edmund being one of the patron saints of England. 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.”

The groat-sized lead token, which also came in equivalent sizes to a penny and half penny during their usage, has a well-preserved side depicting a long cross, just like contemporary coins, while the reverse side is very corroded but would probably have shown the head of a bishop representing St Nicholas.

In the medieval and early Tudor eras, on the Feast Day of St Nicholas on December 6, a choirboy in cathedrals and churches across the country was chosen to act as ‘Boy Bishop’, a parody of the Bishop over the Christmas period.

The tradition, also practiced in other countries including Germany, Spain and France, meant they would lead certain religious services, as well as processions, and would collect money for the church and their local parish.

Boy Bishops also doled out tokens to the poor typically during a procession through the town, which could be spent at the abbey or in the locality on food during the period of St Nicholas Day to Holy Innocents Day (December 28).

Angus added: ”We believe that one of the inhabitants from Oxborough village must have made the long trip to Bury St Edmunds, around 27 miles, to see the festive ceremonies and acquired the token. As the abbey was one of the biggest buildings in Western Europe this must have been a mind-blowing experience for someone from a tiny village.

“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 patron saint of children.”

The token is currently on display at Oxburgh Hall.