The excavations at Nevern Castle 2008-2018 unearthed two plate locks, three barrel padlocks and shackles, 14 pieces of barrel padlocks, and 14 fragments of keys; evidence of an unusually large number of locks.
Lots of locks indicates mistrust and a fear of theft. The community of people present in the castle were like a small town. Most of them would have secured their limited possessions in a small chest secured with a padlock.
Padlocks, often decorated, use slide keys to compress the internal leaf spring and release the bolt – this design was commonplace in the 12th century.
Three padlocks with shackles were discovered. They were used to restrain people – hostages, slaves, or prisoners awaiting trial in the Great Hall.
Some barrel padlocks were opened by inserting the key at the side and sliding it down. A particular design of keys for these locks, found in several sites across England and Wales, had copper alloy or silver wire inlaid into the shaft in a spiral design. They were popular in the Anglo-Norman world, probably among aristocratic women.
This decorated slide key probably accompanied a decorated barrel padlock, making it an expensive, decorative gift item.
In 2017 two X-ray plates of corroded iron fragments revealed pieces of 2-3mm thick iron sheet. These were found in the ditch below the Round Tower, in a layer from late 12th century.
Conservation cleaning revealed pale dots on one side of the fragments. Analysis showed it was tin – a deliberate decorative pattern had been applied. On the other side were parts of a lock mechanism. The dots formed spirals and rings, and were part of a circular lock plate.
Of lock plates discovered before 14th century from York, London, Winchester, and another from Nevern, all are rectangular except this one.
Fitting together the fragments using the spiral pattern as a guide, it was possible to create a drawing and 3D model of the lock plate. It is carefully made. The exterior was probably blacked iron with tin dot spiral decoration. The lock would perhaps have secured a chest containing valuable clothes, jewellery or documents.
At this late 12th century period, the most likely owner is Angharad, wife of William FitzMartin and daughter of Lord Rhys. If so, this may well be the first artefact associated with a named woman in medieval Wales.
The chest might have looked like this French 15th century example, now in the Metropolitan Museum in New York.
Many of the Nevern locks and keys have copper alloy coatings which help prevent corrosion, keep the lock functional, and improve its visual appearance. But the Nevern plate locks have tin coating or decoration.
Padlocks are seen widely across Early Medieval Britain, especially in Viking cities like York; and continue well into the High Medieval period on the north and west of Britain.
Plate locks appear to be an introduction from Europe and are part of the material culture of the Anglo-Norman world. Earl examples in Britain are from cities such as London and Winhester; and now the castle at Nevern