During the Medieval Period barrel padlocks like these were used to keep doors and locks secure. Such simple things from everyday life rarely survive in a complete state. It dates from the 1400's and would have had a simple key to access the barrel and open the lock.

A padlock was probably the only mechanical object ordinary Coventry people owned at this time. This one is of iron and was probably used on a door however smaller identical locks were made of bronze for use on caskets or cupboards.

To open the padlock, a slide key would be inserted unique to the keyhole. Once inserted and turned it would close two or three spring strips in order for the lock to open. To close, it was simply pushed back together. The barrel padlock is part of the Archaeology Collection in The Herbert. It was found in the river bed near the Benedictine Priory.

Fetterlock or not

In 1438 a padlock cost 8 pence, which at the time was over a weeks wages for a craftsman. Therefore they were expensive items but a good investment to protect your home or workshop. A lock permanently fixed to a door was called a platelock and could cost as much as 2 shillings. Medieval people called padlocks 'hanging locks' as they hung down and were not fixed to the door or box.

To protect the iron padlock from rust it would have been tinned. This would also make the lock appear shiny when new. Locks would have been made locally by either a skilled blacksmith or a specialist locksmith.

The padlock measures 96 mm long by 98 mm wide and 25 mm diameter of the barrel. Fetterlocks were padlocks used to secure animals and was sometimes used as a heraldic device holding an eagle by the house of York. Our example may indeed have been used as a fetterlock as it has a curved arm rather than an angled bar. It would be large enough to tether a pony.