DUFFIELD CASTLE. 



153 



distaff was in use, and before the introduction of the spinning 

 wheel, the spindle and its accompanying whorl (or wirl) were 

 common domestic appliances. In the process of spinning the 

 thread was inserted in a nick on the top or side of the spindle, so 

 as to keep the part that had been spun firm in its position, while 



the newly-drawn portion of the 

 wool was being twisted. The thread 

 was then released from the slit, an 

 additional portion wound on the 

 spindle, and a new portion spun or 

 whirled round as before. In order 

 to give the necessary impetus or 

 spin to the yarn in the revolutions 

 that twined it into thread, a heavy 

 perforated disc was used, and it is 

 this that is termed the "spindle 

 whorl." Through the central hole of the disc was fastened the 

 sharpened end of the wooden or bone spindle, the part below the 

 whorl tapering to a point, so as to be readily twirled between the 

 finger and thumb. They have been found of bone, glass, crystal, 

 lead, stone, and ware. Their appearance has given rise to various 

 whimsical suggestions from those unacquainted with their real use. 

 In some parts of Ireland, where they have been often found, they 

 are known as "fairy mill stones," and in Cornwall as "Pixy's 

 grindstones," and an able modern antiquary seems to have 

 thought that some of them were great-coat buttons ! 



Spindle whorls vary much in size and weight, as well as in mate- 

 r.al, being usually from an inch to an inch and a half in diameter, 

 though occasionally as thick as even three inches. The Duffield 

 example, here drawn in full size, is one and a half inches in 

 diameter, and of red ware. The whorls of ware are either of 

 Roman or Saxon origin, and from the roughness and general 

 character of this one, there is no hesitation in assigning it to the 

 latter race. Spindle whorls are now in use among some of the 

 South American tribes.* 



* ?" ' he ^ n eral subject of Spindle Whorls, see Hume's "Ancient Meals " 

 PP. l5'-7, ^Kvz.ns' Ancient Stone Implements dd iaa a A k„ if ' 1 



of red ware was found at Caerwent in ,& TrcZl^olt^ S> 



