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Transcript of “Auction on the Move”
Series 15 Episode 2: “Shiefdora”



Oswine Burhton is sat at a table speaking to a member of the public. The table is outside and behind them you can see several other similar tables as well as crowds gathered around each. Beyond them are the stone walls of Shief castle. Burhton is handling a metal token about the size of his palm

Oswine: So, Eldrida tell us how you acquired this fascinating object.

Eldrida: Well, it's been in my family for at least two generations. My father told me that his father in turn found it while out walking as a boy, growing up in Donnacastra and he passed it to him and so on.

Oswine: It is interesting that you mention Donnacastra, so your family are local.

Eldrida: As far as I know, yes

Oswine: And do you know what this is and when it's from

Eldrida: We figured it was a coin of some sort. Though it seems a bit big for something like a Shilling or a Libra. I figured it was medieval given its worn state

Oswine: Well you’re half right.. It's not quite a coin, it's a token of sorts and it's a bit older. Actually back to the ninth century.

Eldrida gasps

Oswine: This is a workman’s token back from the construction of the original castles in southern Deira. See you can see a face just about and the old Anglish for “Aethelred” being Aethelred the Great

Oswine points out the writing

Oswine: At the time Angland was at war with the Great Army of the vikings and the border between Angland and the Viking Daneland was just south of here. To prevent the vikings taking the route between the Humber and the Hrybeorgs he built three forts. One of which was just behind us. Of course it's since been rebuilt, but still. Now, it's interesting that he found this in Donnacastra because the third fort was built there, just outside the current city center. It was destroyed in the 15th century so items from that area may have been scattered about but that's idle speculation. There are a hundred different ways it could’ve been lost.

Eldrida is starting to look a bit bored

Oswine: Sorry, this token would’ve been given to one of the workers building the fort at Donnacastra. Its simple Iron to limit wealth and precious metals being stored. Now it was hoped this would minimise the chances of the vikings raiding the construction sites. This token would’ve been presented at the beginning and end of each day in exchange for a meal.

Oswine turns it over. There’s a faint number on the back.

Oswine: if you look here it shows number seventeen. Now this number would be ticked off for each meal so no one would claim a meal without working. These tokens would occasionally have to be presented to guards while the men worked

Eldrida: Oh wow

Oswine: I’m quite impressed it's in such amazing condition given its age. Now, the bit you’re waiting for. At Auction with the right buyer this could reach up to ten thousand Libra

Eldrida: I… I, wow.