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This is an iron fetter, probably from a set of shackles, dating to the Romano-British period. Found near Horncastle, Lincolnshire, following river-dredging, it is in exceptionally good condition, perhaps because of the waterlogged conditions in which it was found.
The main part of the fetter is formed by a rectangular bar curved into a U shape, with each end terminating in rounded ends, or ‘eyes’. Interlaced with one of these ‘eyes’ is a straight triangular-shaped loop, while an oval loop, bent at a right angle, is threaded through the other one. When in use, these two loops would have fitted together and slipped over the padlock bar to lock them in place around the captured person’s ankle. Attached to this second eye is also a chain comprised of five interlinked loops, pinched in the middle to form figure-of-eight shapes. Overall, the shackle is slightly misshapen, perhaps indicative of prolonged use.
This example corresponds closely to two recognised shackle types: the Bavay-type and the Villepart-type. In particular, the Villepart-type might be the closest fit, as one of its features is a series of figure-of-eight links, threaded through the same eye as the angled loop, as is the case with this example.
This is only the third pair of Roman shackles to be recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database, and the first in Lincolnshire. The first was a Bavay-type found near Headbourne Worthy in Hampshire (search for HAMP-C45106 on the PAS database) and the other was a partial find from Billingford in Norfolk (NMS-3924D6) of a different type completely. For more information about the Horncastle shackle, see https://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/record/id/1262414 or search for LIN-EEEF59 on the PAS database.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme is an initiative to encourage the recording of archaeological objects found by members of the public in England and Wales. For more information on the Scheme, and to browse its database of almost 1.8 million finds, visit https://finds.org.uk. Information on this find was provided by Lisa Brundle – Finds Liaison Officer for Lincolnshire.
Text: Kathryn Krakowka / Image: Lincolnshire County Council
