Exciting new acquisition
The museum has just acquired a silver bodkin, found in a field in Dorchester in 2019 by a detectorist, passed to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, and then assessed at the British Museum. The bodkin is thought to be possibly from the period 1500-1700, weighs 10.83g and measures 70mmx30mm, and has the inscription SW on one side and a maker’s mark ‘D S’ within a flower on the other, a five-pointed star above and a pellet below. We can only speculate about its possible owner, and how it came to be in the middle of a field! It will be on display in the museum before the winter closure.
Database progress
We now have MODES software, a widely used system for museum collections management. The MODES database update and editing is progressing well, thanks to Candy Madeley’s excellent work in training us to use the system. A collection of old postcards of Dorchester which belonged to the late Muriel (Jane) Hill, and kindly donated by her daughter Paula Elias, has been documented on the database by Megan Parry and Denise Line, each with a description and photograph. We plan to keep adding new items as well as editing the older records on the database.
Museum opening
The museum officially closes on Sunday October 1, but will open on Saturdays in October, 2-5 pm, including the half-term weekend. Closed in November except for tours.
Christmas shopping weekend: Saturday and Sunday December 2 and 3, 2-5pm, as well as the following Tuesday morning, December 5,10am-12.30pm
Alyce Chaucer – the story continues
Alyce Chaucer was Geoffrey Chaucer’s granddaughter and later became Duchess of Suffolk. She lived in Ewelme for many years and is buried in a fine alabaster tomb in St Mary’s Church, Ewelme.
If you have read Christina Hardyment’s novel about Alyce, The Serpent of Division, you’ll want to know that Volume 2 of the series, entitled The Book of the Duchess, will be published on October 22, and will be available in the museum shop and from Linda Hender (linda.hender@gmail.com)
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