In a quiet home in Plymouth, Devon, England, a grandfather named Colin Steer made a jaw-dropping discovery: a 500-year-old, 17-foot-deep well hidden beneath his living room floor. Unearthed during a redecoration project, this medieval marvel revealed more than just stonework—a crude sword from the 16th century AD and a coin from 1725 AD were found inside, hinting at centuries of history. While some online claims mistakenly mention a 16th-century BC Bronze Age sword, the well’s story is firmly rooted in medieval and late medieval times, tied to wealthy or noble families. Let’s explore this extraordinary find and its window into Plymouth’s past. 🕳️🗡️
A Hidden Well Discovered
In 1988, while leveling the floor of his Victorian home on Mannamead Road, 70-year-old Colin Steer noticed a dip in his living room. Digging about a foot down, he uncovered the edge of a 30-inch-wide stone well. With three young children at home, his wife, Vanessa, insisted on covering it for safety. It wasn’t until Steer retired in 2012 that he resumed excavation, spending a decade digging to a depth of 17 feet using a bucket and rope. He estimates the well extends another 4–5 feet, potentially reaching 33 feet. Now covered with a Perspex sheet and trapdoor, the well is a unique feature, delighting Steer’s grandchildren and earning him the local nickname “the man with the well.”
At around 5 feet deep, Steer found a leather-encased sword, described as a crude medieval “peasant’s fighting weapon”—possibly from the 1500s, made of “bits of metal knocked together.” He also uncovered a 1725 coin, likely a copper “cartwheel” penny or twopence from George I’s reign, and a ring. These artifacts sparked curiosity about the well’s history and its owners.
Debunking the Bronze Age Myth
Some online posts, particularly on X, have claimed the well contained a 16th-century BC Bronze Age sword, implying an artifact from 3600 years ago. This is likely a misinterpretation. The sword’s crude design and the well’s estimated 500-year age (circa 1500s AD) align with medieval or early modern Plymouth, not the Bronze Age (2500–800 BC in Britain). Archaeologists and X users have questioned this claim, noting the chronological mismatch with the well’s construction and the 1725 coin. The sword, possibly hidden in the well’s wall at a 45-degree angle, fits the context of a 16th-century AD weapon, perhaps discarded during a time of unrest like the Prayer Book Rebellion (1549).
The 1725 coin suggests later use or abandonment of the well, as it postdates the well’s likely construction by centuries. These finds don’t pinpoint the well’s exact age but enrich its story as a site of historical activity.
A Noble Legacy: The Well’s Significance
Experts suggest the well belonged to a wealthy or noble family, as private wells were a luxury in medieval and late medieval Devon (1000–1500 AD). Unlike communal water sources used by most communities, private wells required significant resources to construct and maintain, often located in the basements or courtyards of affluent homes. The well’s 30-inch diameter and deep construction indicate it could have supplied two to three families or supported livestock, pointing to a substantial household, possibly a merchant’s estate or minor noble’s residence.
Plymouth, a growing port town in the 1500s, thrived on trade and maritime activity. Infrastructure like Drake’s Leat (a 17-mile watercourse built in the 1590s) highlights the region’s focus on water management. A private well from this era would have been a status symbol, akin to the elite privileges seen in ancient Athens or the Nazca culture’s burial practices. The well’s presence beneath a Victorian house (circa 1895) suggests it predates the current structure, likely part of an earlier manor or estate.
A Glimpse into Medieval Plymouth
In medieval Devon, towns like Plymouth were shaped by parish churches, farmhouses, and occasional great houses like Dartington Hall. The Devon Historic Environment Record notes that private wells were rare, reserved for the wealthy. The 16th century, bridging medieval and early modern times, saw Plymouth emerge as a maritime hub, with projects like the Exeter Canal (1560s) and fortifications at Dartmouth. The sword’s crude nature suggests it could have been a practical weapon, possibly hidden during conflicts like the 1549 rebellion, a regional uprising against religious reforms.
Steer’s Dream: A Historical Coffee Table
Steer’s decade-long excavation has reached 17 feet, revealing 4 feet of crystal-clear water at the bottom, which he’s tasted (though he plans bacterial testing). His vision is to extend the well’s walls upward to create a lighted coffee table feature, transforming it into a conversation piece. While Vanessa remains skeptical, she appreciates its historical charm. The Perspex cover ensures safety, allowing visitors to peer into its depths.
Archaeologists caution that wells are anaerobic environments, preserving organic materials like leather or wood. Professional excavation could yield more artifacts, but Steer’s careful approach has already unearthed a treasure trove of history.
Why This Find Resonates
The Plymouth well is a portal to medieval life, revealing the privilege of private water sources and the turbulent times that may have led to a sword’s concealment. Like the Basilica Cistern’s engineering or the Nazca mummy’s tattoos, it connects us to the ingenuity and stories of the past. The 1725 coin and 16th-century sword hint at centuries of use, making this well a living record of Plymouth’s evolution.
This discovery reminds us that history hides in unexpected places—sometimes right beneath our feet. As Steer’s grandchildren marvel at the well, it stands as a testament to curiosity and the enduring pull of the past.
What would you do with a medieval well in your home? Got any guesses about who hid that sword? Share your thoughts below!
Credits: Inspired by reports from Conocimientum and local Plymouth news.
