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Mitten

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Here we have a leather mitten, discovered in a chest on the orlop deck containing two wicker-covered bottles and a peppermill, suggesting an owner of some social standing.

It was found with another mitten, but they were both for the left hand, which caused some confusion. It was thought they might have been for some sort of manual labour, which seems unlikely for an officer! Recently, however, due to the identification on a small bell found nearby, it’s now believed that these ‘mittens’ are actually the same glove, with padding between the layers, which would have been used in falconry.

Falconry was a very popular sport in Tudor times, so it’s probably odder that we didn’t find more of the kit on board, although there is probably not much chance of getting any practice in while at sea!