[MR] BBC: Tudor Armguard Found by Thames Mudlark

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, Especially fellow archers,

Today the BBC is offering an illustrated story on the discovery of a
Tudor-era archer's bracer (or arm guard) on a Thames riverbank.

The bracer is made of leather, with scallop shell and cross decorations. It
is similar to a bracer recovered from the Tudor-era Mary Rose shipwreck.
The Thames find was authenticated and dated by the Museum of London, and
will be given preservation treatment.

Mudlarks are hobbyists who search the Thames banks for artefacts during low
tides. Some of their finds are medieval or even Roman, and a few are
considered treasure. Mudlarks are now licensed by the Port of London
Authority, and any important historical finds must be reported to the
Museum of London.

The story is at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-64787840 .

Recently another mudlark discovered a 3,000 year-old child's shoe along the
riverbank in Kent, as reported in yesterday's History Blog. It will
eventually go on display in the British Museum.

The soleful story is at http://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/66593 . That
is, of course, way earlier than our SCA period, but perhaps still of
interest.

Yours Aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆