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  • This steelyard weight was discovered at Montgomery Castle in the spring of 1970. It has been identified as an armorial steelyard weight which carries the arms of England, Poitou, Richard, Earl of Cornwall, and the Holy Roman Empire. It is believed to date from the second half of the thirteenth century. The shield shown here is that of a double-headed eagle representing the Hansa merchants. Building work on Montgomery Castle was commenced by Henry III in 1233 on the site of an old 'motte and bailey' castle. The new castle was built during Henry III's campaign against Llywelyn ap Iorwerth (Llywelyn the Great) and was given to Hubert de Burgh in 1228. It was held by the Mortimers in the 14th century. During the English Civil War, Montgomery became the site of a large battle in September 1644, with anything up to 9,000 troops involved. The castle surrendered to the Parliamentarians and was demolished after the war on the order of Parliament. Sources: http://www.castlewales.com/montgom.html Cadw, 'A Nation Under Siege: The Civil War in Wales, 1642-48' (London, HMSO, 1991).
Steelyard weight found at Montgomery Castle [image 1 of 4]
Scale pans and weight from the 'Bronze Bell' wreck, early 18th century
  • Various shaped lead weights, some capped with decorative metalwork. They are thought to date from the 10th century.
Early medieval lead weights from Llanbedr-goch
  • Punched hack-silver fragments and a silver ingot (10th century).
Early medieval silver ingot and fragments from Llanbedr-goch
  • Copper alloy steelyard or balance with a separate bun-shaped weight. The steelyard has three suspension hooks for weighing objects of varying weights. Heavy objects would have used the hook nearest the end and light objects would have been weighed on the central hook. The weight would have been moved along the arm which is marked with a series of dots representing a specific weight. The Romans had a comparatively well-organized system of weights and measures which was consistent throughout the Empire.
Roman steelyard and weight from Caernarfon