A 12th century dug-out chest made for Dunster Priory in Somerset to contain Church valuables with five locking rings

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Made for Dunster Benedictine Priory during the reign of Stephen (1135-54) this dug-out cheat would have held Church vauables such as plate and monastic records. It had provision for five padlocks attached to iron rings with a different key each for the Prior, Sacristan, Vicar and two Church-wardens. all five key-holders would have had to be present for the chest to be opened

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Size: 4368px × 2912px
Location: Dunster, Somerset, UK
Photo credit: © Tim Wright / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 12th, century, chest, church, dug-, dunster, locking, locks, priory, rings, twelfth