Shackles found in River Thames hold ghoulish tale

[Blood on the Mors]

Shackles found in River Thames hold ghoulish tale

Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:24pm EDT
 
By Stefano Ambrogi

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - An iron ball and chain found on the banks of London's River Thames is causing a stir amongst archaeologists who say the 300 year-old artifact used to restrain convicts on ships may have a gruesome story to tell.

The leg irons, believed to date from the 17th or 18th century, were pulled from the mud with the lock fastened, suggesting a convict could have drowned while trying to escape.

The prospect conjures up a tantalizing tale reminiscent of the work of 19th century Victorian author Charles Dickens, said Museum of London archaeologist Kate Sumnall who examined the find.

"Whether a real-life 'Magwitch' freed himself from the 'great iron on his leg', or perished in shackles, or whether this ball was simply discarded, we can never know," she said.

Abel Magwitch is a character in "Great Expectations" -- a violent convict who escapes from a prison-ship.

"Nothing like this has ever come across my desk before," Sumnall said, adding that to find a complete set of irons was very rare.

She said the fact that the device is made of high quality iron made it very valuable at the time suggesting that it was unlikely to have been discarded.

"And we also know from the lock design that it was not a slave ball and chain," she said.

The padlock is skillfully made with the screw-thread carved after the padlock had been cast. English padlocks of this time were not made in this way suggesting it was made somewhere in continental Europe, possibly Germany.

[Blood on the Mors]

The long spike on the padlock would have pointed toward the other leg when it was fitted around the ankle, Sumnall said.

The device, which weighs 8 kgs (17.64 lb), has been preserved by the thick black mud of the Thames whose anaerobic properties protect metal, ceramic and even leather finds exceptionally well.

The fetters were found by "mudlarks" Steve Brooker and Rick Jones on the Thames foreshore close to a wharf in Rotherhithe in southeast London.

Mudlarks, history enthusiasts some of whom have been likened to amateur archaeologists, have special permits to search and dig the foreshore from the Port of London Authority.

Digging on the north side of the Thames between Westminster in central London and Wapping in the east of the city is strictly prohibited because it is so rich in archaeological deposits.

There are only 51 "official" mudlarks who have achieved this recognized status -- through the Society of Thames Mudlarks -- by recording their finds through institutions like the Museum of London.

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSTRE57P3WA20090826

[Blood on the Mors]

Museum of London archaeologist Kate Sumnall with the the 300 year-old iron ball and chain found on the banks of the river Thames by mudlarks.

REUTERS/Museum of London/Handout

[Blood on the Mors]

The London Eye and the London Aquarium seen on the South Bank of the River Thames in central London March 08, 2008.

REUTERS/John Goh

[Blood on the Mors]

Many have become experts in periods of English history through the many thousands of historical artifacts they unearth.

The ball and chain are on display in the foyer of the Museum of London Docklands for a limited time.

(Reporting by Stefano Ambrogi; Editing by Keith Weir)

[rockessence]

Fantastic...thanks for posting this..

[Copperhead]

The ancients were awfully good at torturing one another. 

Have people really changed?  If anything, they have become more subtle about it, but I doubt the feelings have changed.