Medieval iron shears. From the site of Hyde Abbey, Winchester, Hampshire. Found in 1895.

Iron shears

Medieval

Found on the site of Hyde Abbey, Winchester, Hampshire in 1895

Shears, in more common use than scissors during the medieval period, were used for a range of domestic and industrial processes. Smaller shears such as this pair were appropriate for needleworking, etc. Larger ones could have cut cloth or had more rigorous household or craft uses.