Thread by @OxonMRC

#VirtualExhibition #FindsFriday No 4🧵: #Eynsham Abbey: The House of God.
For the monks in Eynsham Abbey there would have been a set routine of prayers and chores. The objects recovered by the archaeologists gives us a glimpse of this life. 1/8

Objects which give us a glimpse of life in #Eynsham Abbey include the religious imagery and stories portrayed in the plaque of St. Thomas, and the unknown saint in the stained glass. The writing implements and book clasp reflect the education & work of the monks. 2/8

Pilgrim Plaque
The plaque depicts St. Thomas of Canterbury on his return from exile in France. The style of the plaque suggests it dates to the 14th century. #VirtualExhibition
OXCMS : 1995.342.sf37 3/8

Medieval Stained Glass
The male, bearded bust depicted on this fragment of window glass is hand painted and is thought to be a saint. It dates to the 13th century. #VirtualExhibition
OXCMS : 1995.342.sf76 4/8

Medieval Chrism Flask or Vessel
Chrism flasks were used to contain the holy oils for ritual anointing: eg oleum infirmorum for the sick; oleum catechumenorum for baptism. #VirtualExhibition
OXCMS : 1995.342.sf116 5/8

Medieval Bone styli
A stylus is used to write notes on a wax tablet. If you wanted to save what you wrote for a long time, you wrote on parchment with ink. #VirtualExhibition
OXCMS : 1995.342.sf56a 6/8

Book Clasp
Book clasps were used to hold the covers of a book closed and are often found on ecclesiastical sites such as Eynsham Abbey. #VirtualExhibition
OXCMS : 1995.342.sf77a 7/8

To deliver this #virtualexhibition to your devices, we stand on the shoulders of archaeologists and experts @oatweet and elsewhere, the volunteers and curatorial staff at the #Oxfordshire Museums Service and in #Eynsham. Thank you. 8/8