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This is a pewter drinking vessel inscribed with name of 'Thomas Besley', a crown motif, 'Eyton Arms, V.R. 454' and 'PINT V.R. 2'. Likely to have been used at a public house, possibly given the inscription called the Eyton Arms, for drinking beer. The origin of this item is unknown.

1 tankard: metal (pewter); good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘Tankard // Domestic serving drink // Cylindrical with ridged decoration around lower third and lettering on upper two thirds. Curved handle attached from rim to 3cm from base // Pewter, cylindrical, irregular, smooth ridged, surface scratches // Inscription: outside upper section- Thomas Besley- incised copper plate. Inscription- outside near to handle- below rim motif with crown- Eyton Arms, V.R. 454- increase, Make- motif with circle and crown- PINT V.R.2- Raised // Total height- 12cm, diameter base- 10cm // Handle- Diameter top- 8cm, Length 8cm // Unknown // [pencil drawing].’, MERL miscellaneous note – 'Thomas Besley is recorded in the 1881 census as living at the Eyston's Arms in East Hendred. He was born in about 1833. Isabella Besley, his wife, is recorded in Kelly's Directory of Berkshire 1899 at the Eyston Arms public house'.

Besley, Thomas (Agent)