English: An iron axehead of probable Medieval date (1000 – 1500 AD). The axe is broadly sub-rectangular in plan with a relatively regular expanded blade. The socket of the axe is formed by the tail of the axe being folded and welded; the socket is sub-rectangular in shape measuring 41.9mm length x 26.7mm width. The butt of the axe is rectangular. As the blade expands in width it tapers in section; forming a wide even cutting edge. A bevelled blade facet can be seen on the edge of the blade, but much of the cutting edge is lost. The axehead is a mid blackish brown colour and has not been treated. The metal surface has laminated and possibly surface corrosion has been removed through brushing.. No surface marks or stamps can be seen, these may be lost through corrosion. Elements of the axehead are fragile, especially the socket, which is suffering from laminating corrosion. The metal has split across socket close to where the metal was welded, this damage seems likely to be relatively recent, possibly post discovery and a product of the axe becoming acclimatised to its new environment.

The axehead measures 171mm length, is 51.8mm wide across the butt, 90.8mm wide across the blade, 36.1mm thick across the butt and 5.2mm across the blade. The axe weighs 625 grams.

From the shape and construction of this axe it is suggested that it fits within a sub-class known as bearded axes, these were cheaply made and popular, widely available general-utility tools owned by many. The socket was form simply by folding the tail of the axe over and welding it against one cheek to form a loop. Dating for these seems vague as they were probably used throughout much of the Medieval period and maybe even earlier, however it probably dates from c.1000-1500 AD. It can be paralleled with similar examples (no's: 3 and 6), in Ward Perkins London Museum Medieval Catalogue', fig.13, p.60.