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Iconography of the Archangel Michael on pail weights from excavations at Port Royal, Jamaica
The InternationalJournal of Nautical Archaeology (I 999) 28.4:355-359 Article No. ijna.1999.0258
Iconography of the Archangel Michael on pail weights from excavations at Port Royal, Jamaica
®
C. Wayne S m i t h Nautical Archaeology Program, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4352, USA
to manufacture these weights shed some Between 1981 and 1990, Dr Donny important light on the religious, economic Hamilton of Texas A&M University and a and politically motivated factors used by team of graduate students conducted exca- the monarchy to unify weights and vations at the underwater site of Port measures during the mid and late 17th Royal, located at the end of the sand spit century. In England, the movement towards metforming Kingston Harbour in Jamaica. Nearly two-thirds of the port community rological uniformity started in earnest was lost in an earthquake that rocked the when William the Conqueror decreed that island shortly before noon on June 7, 1692. all weights throughout the realm were to Through the process of liquefaction, many be standardized and marked with his seal of the brick and wooden structures sank (Hallock & Wode, 1906: 30). Accordingly, almost vertically into the harbour. Port he ordered that the standards for weights Royal has remained a significant source of be moved to London and held in the crypt comparative data for historical archaeolo- of Edward the Confessor at Westminster gists; unlike the artefacts recovered from Abbey. Furthermore, the Plumbers Guild most terrestrial sites, much of the assem- of London was appointed as the official blage recovered from Port Royal includes administrator of the metrological system. whole objects. Because this is a cata- However, because privately owned systems strophic site, the range of artefacts recov- of weight and measure were maintained by ered encompasses an entire cross-section of land barons and wealthy merchants, the day-to-day activities within the commu- movement towards unification of weight nity, right up to the moment of the earth- standards was a slow and difficult task. quake. Some of the more diagnostic Political, social and religious influences recovered are the lead, bronze and com- further complicated the process. The use of a symbol on newly mandated posite weights that bear the ciphers of standards for commercial weights was English trade guilds, stamps of royal carefully chosen by the monarchy to ascension and owners' marks. address the numerous factions within the From the assemblage of 90 weights economic and sociocultural system. The recovered to date, two are unique. Known Archangel Michael had been a longas pail weights, due to their shape and standing icon in Jewish, Christian and method of construction, they bear an imgel cipher commonly known as the Archangel Islamic mythology (O'Boyle, 1967: 793). Regardless of origin, the iconography of Michael. The iconography of the Michael figure and the construction methods used Michael came to represent the virtues of
Introduction
1057-2414/99/110355+05 $30.00/0
© 1999 The Nautical Archaeology Society
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 28.4
Figure 1. Factions united by the Michael figure. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
compassion and triumph over evil that was the cornerstone of Christianity in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. These were the same attributes that the monarchy associated with their rule. As such, it was appropriate that England's monarchs used the Michael icon as the insignia of royal ascension for a new standard of weights.
Driving forces for acceptance of the Michael icon The universality of the Michael figure and the fact that all major religions throughout Europe recognized some benevolent aspect of the icon made the Michael figure the ideal cipher to mark all legally tendered weights. Figure 1 is a diagram of the political, economic and religious motivations that the monarchy had to unite if a new weight standard was to be accepted. Accordingly, lead weights made under the auspices of the Plumbers Guild of London were marked with the Michael cipher as well as a dagger, used at the Guildhall, that represented the City of London (Crawforth, pers. comm.). In his research, Brian Smith has identified this mark as a .sword, rather than a dagger 356
Figure 2. Oblique view of pail weight PR85 1026-
13. Note the partially reconstructed iron ring handle and U-shaped staple. (Photograph: C. Wayne Smith, cm scale) (Smith, 1997: 138). Numerous scholars, however, agree that the Guildhall mark used to designate a weight made by artisans within the City of London was indeed a dagger (Graham, 1979; Stevenson, 1979).
Description of pail weights Artefacts PR85 1026-12 and PR85 102613 are the two weights recovered at Port Royal. To form the body of these weights, molten lead was poured into a cast-iron pail, which, when cooled, formed the cylindrical sides and flat bottom of the weight. Probably while the lead was still in a molten state, a U-shaped iron staple holding an iron ring-handle was positioned centrally on the top surface of the weight. Such a handle was necessary for either lifting the weight onto a pan scale, or for suspending the weight on a balance beam.
C. W. SM1TH: PAIL WEIGHTS FROM PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA
Figure 3. The top surface of a pail weight showing the Michael cipher, the crowned 'C', and the indentation of the ring handle. Part of the reconstructed staple holding the iron ring handle is visible. (Photograph: C. Wayne Smith)
The mass of the iron ring and its staple fastener had to be taken into consideration when pouring the lead into the iron form, resulting in a finished weight that was subsequently trimmed to bring it to standard. The top surface of PR85 1026-13 measures 112mm in diameter. Three cipher marks are visible on this weight. One clear mark is that of a sword, indicating that the weight was made in London. The second mark is a crowned 'C', which is the mark of Charles I. The last mark is that of the Archangel Michael. Figure 2 is an oblique view of PR85 1026- 13. The outer casing of the weight has disintegrated and its original thickness is suggested b}¢ the overhanging cap of lead, which is visible on the sides of the top of the weight. A small section of the iron ring-handle has
been reconstructed using the natural mould in the concretion that had formed on the upper surface of the weight. In Fig. 3 the archangel figure is visible with his sword and scales, along with the crowned 'C' cipher, seen inverted in this photograph. The impression of the iron ring-handle is also visible. The placing of the iron-ring handle on the upper surface of weights in close proximity to ciphers and stamps causes problems for the historical researcher. The upper surface is the flattest surface on a pail weight and it is also the best surface for the attachment of a ring handle. However, over time, the weight of the iron-ring handle and use-wear tend to obliterate marks and ciphers, and distort the upper surface of the weight. Such is the case with both pail weights from Port Royal. 357
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 28.4
Physical dimensions of the pail weights PR85 1026-12 Weight 6.1 kg (13.51 lb) Diameter/top 89 mm Diameter/base 111.14 rrma Marks: crowned 'C' sword Archangel Michael PR85 1026-13 Weight 6.136 kg (13.53 lb) Diameter/top 112 mm Diameter/base 129 mm Marks: crowned 'C' sword Archangel Michael
While PR85 1026-13 is physically larger than PR85 1026-12, the conserved mass of both weights is very similar. This is not an uncommon phenomenon since the content of lead can vary greatly, due to the presence of impurities and slag in the metal. Given the size and mass of the iron ringhandle and staple, which is derived from information taken from the casting of these components, both weights were probably 14-pound weights. Weights of this size were conmaonly used for measuring wheat flour. During the 17th century, flour and other food commodities were carefully regulated in Port Royal. The weights were located in a room in Building One and associated with artefacts including: numerous whole onion bottles, which were the common storage bottle for the day; a large concentration of unsmoked white clay pipes; 21 lead weights; 9 bronze weights; two scale-arms, and one brass pan scale. This group of finds suggests that the room in Building One at Port Royal was a vintner's shop and dispensing area for wheat and flour. The Michael figure Two versions of the Archangel Michael figure have been commonly associated with the Plumbers Guild of London. The 358
Figure 4. About 19 mm in diameter, this version of the cipher is the most common form of the Michael figure found on weights recovered from Port Royal. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
10
1 P Q
I 0"
,Bb g
Q
|
Figure 5. A less commonly used icon of Michael found on a weight recovered from Port Royal. This cipher measures 22 mm in diameter. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
most frequently occurring form of the icon is the angel figure with a sword in his left hand and a set of scales in his right hand. This version of the Michael figure has been associated with the shop of Thomas Overing, located in the vicinity of Bartholomew Lane, near the Royal Exchange. In Figures 3 and 4, this version of the Michael figure appears to be wearing a short skirted tunic and tight pantaloons. In a less commonly used depiction of Michael associated with the Plumber's
C. W. SMITH: PAIL WEIGHTS FROM PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA
Guild (Fig. 5), note that the sword is not evident. Instead, the Michael figure is less detailed and the angel is carrying a scale in his left hand.
Images as mechanisms for change For over one thousand years in Western society, the iconography of the cardinal virtues has served as a marker for social change, both within and across ethnic and cultural boundaries. As Simon Bronner has shown, artefacts have meanings that 'strike deep into the relation of human existence and expression' (Bronner, 1992:
18)..Adopting the strong and virtuous aspects of the Archangel Michael figure was a wise tactical manoeuvre by the Plumbers' Guild of London, and the monarchy. By forcing local adherence to new metrological standards and using the figure of Michael to represent the new movement towards standardization of weights throughout the realm, England came to be viewed by the European community as an important trade partner, standing at the crossroads of cultural, technological and economic activities.
References Bronner, S. J., 1985, The idea of folk artifact. In: Bronner, S. J. (Ed.), American Material Culture and Folklife: A Prologue and Dialogue. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Graham, J. T., 1979, Weights and Measures, A Cadde to Collecting. Bletchley. Hallock, W. & Wade, H., 1906, Outlines of the Evolution of Weights and Measures and the Metric System. New York. O'Boyle, D. D. P., 1967, New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 1. New York. Smith, B. S., 1997, Inquiry into two lead weights found on a wreck on Alderney, Channel Islands. IJNA, 26: 133-143. Stevenson, M., 1979, Weights and Measures and their Marks. Bletchley.
359
Iconography of the Archangel Michael on pail weights from excavations at Port Royal, Jamaica
®
C. Wayne S m i t h Nautical Archaeology Program, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas 77843-4352, USA
to manufacture these weights shed some Between 1981 and 1990, Dr Donny important light on the religious, economic Hamilton of Texas A&M University and a and politically motivated factors used by team of graduate students conducted exca- the monarchy to unify weights and vations at the underwater site of Port measures during the mid and late 17th Royal, located at the end of the sand spit century. In England, the movement towards metforming Kingston Harbour in Jamaica. Nearly two-thirds of the port community rological uniformity started in earnest was lost in an earthquake that rocked the when William the Conqueror decreed that island shortly before noon on June 7, 1692. all weights throughout the realm were to Through the process of liquefaction, many be standardized and marked with his seal of the brick and wooden structures sank (Hallock & Wode, 1906: 30). Accordingly, almost vertically into the harbour. Port he ordered that the standards for weights Royal has remained a significant source of be moved to London and held in the crypt comparative data for historical archaeolo- of Edward the Confessor at Westminster gists; unlike the artefacts recovered from Abbey. Furthermore, the Plumbers Guild most terrestrial sites, much of the assem- of London was appointed as the official blage recovered from Port Royal includes administrator of the metrological system. whole objects. Because this is a cata- However, because privately owned systems strophic site, the range of artefacts recov- of weight and measure were maintained by ered encompasses an entire cross-section of land barons and wealthy merchants, the day-to-day activities within the commu- movement towards unification of weight nity, right up to the moment of the earth- standards was a slow and difficult task. quake. Some of the more diagnostic Political, social and religious influences recovered are the lead, bronze and com- further complicated the process. The use of a symbol on newly mandated posite weights that bear the ciphers of standards for commercial weights was English trade guilds, stamps of royal carefully chosen by the monarchy to ascension and owners' marks. address the numerous factions within the From the assemblage of 90 weights economic and sociocultural system. The recovered to date, two are unique. Known Archangel Michael had been a longas pail weights, due to their shape and standing icon in Jewish, Christian and method of construction, they bear an imgel cipher commonly known as the Archangel Islamic mythology (O'Boyle, 1967: 793). Regardless of origin, the iconography of Michael. The iconography of the Michael figure and the construction methods used Michael came to represent the virtues of
Introduction
1057-2414/99/110355+05 $30.00/0
© 1999 The Nautical Archaeology Society
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 28.4
Figure 1. Factions united by the Michael figure. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
compassion and triumph over evil that was the cornerstone of Christianity in Medieval and Renaissance Europe. These were the same attributes that the monarchy associated with their rule. As such, it was appropriate that England's monarchs used the Michael icon as the insignia of royal ascension for a new standard of weights.
Driving forces for acceptance of the Michael icon The universality of the Michael figure and the fact that all major religions throughout Europe recognized some benevolent aspect of the icon made the Michael figure the ideal cipher to mark all legally tendered weights. Figure 1 is a diagram of the political, economic and religious motivations that the monarchy had to unite if a new weight standard was to be accepted. Accordingly, lead weights made under the auspices of the Plumbers Guild of London were marked with the Michael cipher as well as a dagger, used at the Guildhall, that represented the City of London (Crawforth, pers. comm.). In his research, Brian Smith has identified this mark as a .sword, rather than a dagger 356
Figure 2. Oblique view of pail weight PR85 1026-
13. Note the partially reconstructed iron ring handle and U-shaped staple. (Photograph: C. Wayne Smith, cm scale) (Smith, 1997: 138). Numerous scholars, however, agree that the Guildhall mark used to designate a weight made by artisans within the City of London was indeed a dagger (Graham, 1979; Stevenson, 1979).
Description of pail weights Artefacts PR85 1026-12 and PR85 102613 are the two weights recovered at Port Royal. To form the body of these weights, molten lead was poured into a cast-iron pail, which, when cooled, formed the cylindrical sides and flat bottom of the weight. Probably while the lead was still in a molten state, a U-shaped iron staple holding an iron ring-handle was positioned centrally on the top surface of the weight. Such a handle was necessary for either lifting the weight onto a pan scale, or for suspending the weight on a balance beam.
C. W. SM1TH: PAIL WEIGHTS FROM PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA
Figure 3. The top surface of a pail weight showing the Michael cipher, the crowned 'C', and the indentation of the ring handle. Part of the reconstructed staple holding the iron ring handle is visible. (Photograph: C. Wayne Smith)
The mass of the iron ring and its staple fastener had to be taken into consideration when pouring the lead into the iron form, resulting in a finished weight that was subsequently trimmed to bring it to standard. The top surface of PR85 1026-13 measures 112mm in diameter. Three cipher marks are visible on this weight. One clear mark is that of a sword, indicating that the weight was made in London. The second mark is a crowned 'C', which is the mark of Charles I. The last mark is that of the Archangel Michael. Figure 2 is an oblique view of PR85 1026- 13. The outer casing of the weight has disintegrated and its original thickness is suggested b}¢ the overhanging cap of lead, which is visible on the sides of the top of the weight. A small section of the iron ring-handle has
been reconstructed using the natural mould in the concretion that had formed on the upper surface of the weight. In Fig. 3 the archangel figure is visible with his sword and scales, along with the crowned 'C' cipher, seen inverted in this photograph. The impression of the iron ring-handle is also visible. The placing of the iron-ring handle on the upper surface of weights in close proximity to ciphers and stamps causes problems for the historical researcher. The upper surface is the flattest surface on a pail weight and it is also the best surface for the attachment of a ring handle. However, over time, the weight of the iron-ring handle and use-wear tend to obliterate marks and ciphers, and distort the upper surface of the weight. Such is the case with both pail weights from Port Royal. 357
NAUTICAL ARCHAEOLOGY, 28.4
Physical dimensions of the pail weights PR85 1026-12 Weight 6.1 kg (13.51 lb) Diameter/top 89 mm Diameter/base 111.14 rrma Marks: crowned 'C' sword Archangel Michael PR85 1026-13 Weight 6.136 kg (13.53 lb) Diameter/top 112 mm Diameter/base 129 mm Marks: crowned 'C' sword Archangel Michael
While PR85 1026-13 is physically larger than PR85 1026-12, the conserved mass of both weights is very similar. This is not an uncommon phenomenon since the content of lead can vary greatly, due to the presence of impurities and slag in the metal. Given the size and mass of the iron ringhandle and staple, which is derived from information taken from the casting of these components, both weights were probably 14-pound weights. Weights of this size were conmaonly used for measuring wheat flour. During the 17th century, flour and other food commodities were carefully regulated in Port Royal. The weights were located in a room in Building One and associated with artefacts including: numerous whole onion bottles, which were the common storage bottle for the day; a large concentration of unsmoked white clay pipes; 21 lead weights; 9 bronze weights; two scale-arms, and one brass pan scale. This group of finds suggests that the room in Building One at Port Royal was a vintner's shop and dispensing area for wheat and flour. The Michael figure Two versions of the Archangel Michael figure have been commonly associated with the Plumbers Guild of London. The 358
Figure 4. About 19 mm in diameter, this version of the cipher is the most common form of the Michael figure found on weights recovered from Port Royal. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
10
1 P Q
I 0"
,Bb g
Q
|
Figure 5. A less commonly used icon of Michael found on a weight recovered from Port Royal. This cipher measures 22 mm in diameter. (Drawing: C. Wayne Smith)
most frequently occurring form of the icon is the angel figure with a sword in his left hand and a set of scales in his right hand. This version of the Michael figure has been associated with the shop of Thomas Overing, located in the vicinity of Bartholomew Lane, near the Royal Exchange. In Figures 3 and 4, this version of the Michael figure appears to be wearing a short skirted tunic and tight pantaloons. In a less commonly used depiction of Michael associated with the Plumber's
C. W. SMITH: PAIL WEIGHTS FROM PORT ROYAL, JAMAICA
Guild (Fig. 5), note that the sword is not evident. Instead, the Michael figure is less detailed and the angel is carrying a scale in his left hand.
Images as mechanisms for change For over one thousand years in Western society, the iconography of the cardinal virtues has served as a marker for social change, both within and across ethnic and cultural boundaries. As Simon Bronner has shown, artefacts have meanings that 'strike deep into the relation of human existence and expression' (Bronner, 1992:
18)..Adopting the strong and virtuous aspects of the Archangel Michael figure was a wise tactical manoeuvre by the Plumbers' Guild of London, and the monarchy. By forcing local adherence to new metrological standards and using the figure of Michael to represent the new movement towards standardization of weights throughout the realm, England came to be viewed by the European community as an important trade partner, standing at the crossroads of cultural, technological and economic activities.
References Bronner, S. J., 1985, The idea of folk artifact. In: Bronner, S. J. (Ed.), American Material Culture and Folklife: A Prologue and Dialogue. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Graham, J. T., 1979, Weights and Measures, A Cadde to Collecting. Bletchley. Hallock, W. & Wade, H., 1906, Outlines of the Evolution of Weights and Measures and the Metric System. New York. O'Boyle, D. D. P., 1967, New Catholic Encyclopedia, Vol. 1. New York. Smith, B. S., 1997, Inquiry into two lead weights found on a wreck on Alderney, Channel Islands. IJNA, 26: 133-143. Stevenson, M., 1979, Weights and Measures and their Marks. Bletchley.
359