July 2005
The skills of archaeological conservators often go beyond dealing with objects from the ground. The Charter or Wakeman's Horn, Ripon's most important piece of civic regalia, and said to have been presented to the city by King Alfred the Great, was recently the subject of detailed investigation for the first time in its long existence.
With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and assistance from Ripon City Council, York Archaeological Trust made a full record of every aspect of the horn. A major element of the work was to 'undress' the horn itself, an exciting and rather tricky business. Once exposed, it proved to be a cow horn as expected, but with a curious 'keel' left proud on the underside. Of particular interest were the many redundant fixing holes from previous mounts and adornments, demonstrating its considerable antiquity.
Its many silver mounts, craft gild badges, and the baldric covered in silver mayoral badges going back several centuries, make the ensemble of considerable local and national interest and importance. The various layers of velvet and other textiles were also examined, some probably dating back to 1703 when the first detailed redressing of the horn was recorded. X-ray plates made at the Tower Armouries, Leeds, now form a unique visual record of the horn and its accoutrements.
A number of minor repairs were effected, including replacing a modern rayon back-cloth on the baldric with good quality, black cotton sateen, and checking and tightening the many mayoral badge fastenings. The horn is now back in Ripon, in good shape to be worn again by the Sergeant at Mace at the mayor-making and other civic occasions. Rather sadly, an embargo had been placed on taking a sample for carbon-14 dating, so its real age still remains a mystery and its questionable reputation as dating from the 9th century AD remains intact.