An 1872 medal from the Varsity Boat Race between Oxford University and Cambridge University was scavenged in the River Thames by two mudlarkers. It likely fell amid severe weather conditions described as “a pitiless descent of swirling snow [that] was literally blinding” by the Times.
The medal, bearing the crests of both universities, is inscribed with the words “University Boat Race Putney to Mortlake” – the same route used today. The reverse side is engraved with the year “1872”. It was likely a commercially produced souvenir rather than an official medal awarded to participants.
The find was made at Southwark on the banks of the Thames by Tom Chivers, author of London Clay: Journeys in the Deep City, and Nicola White, who posted a video of the discovery to her mudlarking YouTube channel.
Mudlarking is a centuries-old tradition which entails combing the shores of rivers to find valuable items. London is particularly well known for this particular pastime, with the Thames holding objects from the Roman period to the present day. The Boat Race medal is one of many objects uncovered by mudlarks along muddy shores of the River Thames, where significant artifacts, including mammoth remains and Tudor garments, have been discovered by licenced mudlarks such as Chivers and White.
The 1872 Boat Race marked the 29th time rowers from Oxford and Cambridge competed in this event, with Cambridge winning for the third consecutive year. That particular race was notable for being the last year to feature fixed seats before sliding seats were introduced.
A snowstorm during the 1872 race led to poor visibility and fewer spectators than usual lining the banks of the river, with the Times describing it as “of the most cheerless character” and “in the teeth of a bitter gale and snow storm”. The weather conditions marked the worst the Boat Race had seen until 1912, when strong winds caused both team boats to sink – an incident that has not been repeated since.Now a world-famous event, the Boat Race attracts around 250,000 spectators to the Thames riverbank each year, with millions more tuning in to watch the race on television. Last year Oxford lost to Cambridge, giving defending champions Cambridge a 87–81 record for men and 48–30 for women.
