The Frock Box

Cheers to our latest donation! 🍻 This vintage Battle of Bosworth quincentenary ale was donated by a regular visitor to Bosworth Battlefield recently. He received the limited edition brew as a gift in 1985 - 500 years after the actual battle.

It was brewed by Tom Hoskins Ltd at the Beaumanor Brewery, Leicester. This brewery had a history dating back to 1877 which developed into a very successful business across the Midlands.

If you fancy celebrating the 541st anniversary of the Battle of Bosworth then head to the upcoming Medieval Festival on 22 and 23 August.

https://www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk/bosworth-medieval-festival-2026/

🦄 Unicorn! 🦄 This tiny badge was discovered by metal detectorist Dave Dunn in Harborough District in 2024 and was reported via Portable Antiquities Scheme & Treasure

We've been getting it ready today behind the scenes, mounting it for display. Very fiddly!

This fantastic discovery has a very special link to the Battle of Bosworth.

Livery badges proclaimed the wearer’s allegiance to a particular family. The unicorn form of this badge may represent the livery of the Poynings family. Sir Edward Poynings (1459-1521) was present at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, fighting for Henry Tudor. His banners featured a red background with a white/silver running unicorn.

Acquired under the Treasure Act 1996. Very kindly donated by finder Dave Dunn and the landowner.

The unicorn will be displayed for the first time from tomorrow at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre just in time for their Awesome Archaeology event on 23 July:

Become an archaeologist for the day in a fun workshop! Dig into an exciting hoard of history themed activities and crafts and see some real archaeological finds from the site up close. Spaces limited so please book ahead.

We were delighted to receive this beautiful barbed and tanged flint arrowhead this week 😍

Dating to the Early Bronze Age (c. 2,600 BC - 2,600 BC), this wonderful find was a chance discovery made by donor Elaine whilst digging her new build's back garden in Tyler Court, Shepshed in 1979.

It has lived in Elaine's jewellery box ever since. Thank you for this very kind donation!

After many months of preparation, our county-wide exhibition, Walking Through Time: 50 Years of Leicestershire Fieldworkers is now open at museums and libraries 🥳

We hope you get out and about and enjoy the displays and associated events. The objects displayed have all been found by local people over the last 50 years, each has its own story to tell.

Curated in partnership with Leicestershire Fieldworkers 🚶‍♀️🚶🥾

For further details visit https://leicestershirecollections.org.uk/behind-the-scenes/walking-through-time-50-years-of-leicestershire-fieldworkers

On the final day of Volunteers Week we want to say a huge thank you to Museum Collections volunteer, Matthew.

Matthew volunteered with us for just over a year, showing huge enthusiasm for undertaking various tasks and was always eager to learn.

He sourced archaeology objects for our new exhibition programme, 'Walking Through Time' which focuses on fieldwalked finds from the past 50 years. This was a huge job, involving assessing hundreds of boxes and bags of finds. Matthew selected finds, arranged displays, completed object movement control procedures and helped write and proof exhibition panels and labels.

Matthew has just completed his first week in a new role at . We are so pleased he has now started his career as a paid museum professional!

Today's celebrates Volunteers Week with a sneak peak at our brand new exhibition 'Walking Through Time: 50 Years of Leicestershire Fieldworkers' at Harborough Museum.

In 1976 a call was put out for volunteers who would help the County Council's Archaeological Survey Team with systematic fieldwalking of Leicestershire and Rutland's fields to add to the archaeological record and mitigate against development.

Leicestershire Fieldworkers are now an independent group of volunteers who undertake amazing community archaeology projects.

The exhibition runs until October and we will be installing smaller displays around the county next week. Details coming soon!

🥾 How would you feel if you found this 500,000 year old handaxe on the ground? 🥾

This is one of the incredible discoveries made during the last 50 years of groundbreaking community fieldwork spearheaded by Leicestershire Fieldworkers which will be celebrated in the upcoming Walking Through Time exhibition.

The main exhibition begins in one month's time at Harborough Museum, Market Harborough joined by smaller displays at various venues across Leicestershire.

Swipe to see the controlled chaos of our exhibition prep! 😆

Follow us for further details coming soon! 🥾🥾🥾

🌸 Don't you just love it when your 3D printed Iron Age tankard matches spring?! 🌸

This fabulous print was created by University of Nottingham students at the university's Digital Transformation Hub. The students scanned some of our collections for their work for .

Swipe to see the replica tankard they scanned and which was itself created from close study of a copper alloy handle and other fragments found at the Late Iron Age ritual site at Hallaton, Leicestershire.

The beautiful handle is displayed in the Hallaton Treasure Hallery at Harborough Museum, Market Harborough.

Thinking of going to the Brandywine Festival at Weston Park in September, but do not have a stitch to wear?
Why not come and get some inspiration from Leicestershire’s finest costume collection. We have plenty of capes, cloaks, gowns and petticoats from the 18th century to the present day. All of them just waiting to inspire that Hobbit within you! 🍀🍺🍄🌻
To book an appointment visit our website (see link in bio)

🌸 Spring cleaning at the 1620s House and Garden 🌸
We're busy with getting the s***k and span for their new season. We're vacuuming surfaces, checking for insect pests, laying pest traps and polishing the gorgeous wooden furniture. Later on today we will re-install the textiles and bed hangings after their annual freeze to kill any creepy crawlies.

To find out more about us visit www.leicestershirecollections.org.uk

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