
The key to an 11th-century English tower, which seemed to have been taken almost 50 years ago, has now been mysteriously returned. The brass key was sent to the English Heritage — a charity that manages over 400 monuments, palaces and buildings — along with an anonymous note admitting to having ‘borrowed’ the key years ago.
“That awkward moment when you return a key you borrowed for almost 50 years… Thank you to the mysterious individual who recently sent us back a key to St Leonard’s Tower in Kent,” read the tweet by English Heritage. “Don’t worry about the delay, we changed the locks long ago,” they added.
Read the full post here:
That awkward moment when you return a key you borrowed for almost 50 years… 🗝 Thank you to the mysterious individual who recently sent us back a key to St Leonard’s Tower in Kent. Don’t worry about the delay, we changed the locks long ago! 🤭 pic.twitter.com/XtE7vlXRKA
— English Heritage (@EnglishHeritage) December 9, 2020
The note read, “Dear English Heritage. Please find enclosed, the large key to … St Leonard’s Tower, West Malling, Kent. Borrowed 1973. Returned 2020. Sorry for the delay. Regards.”
According to The Guardian, the key still fits the keyhole of the doors to St Leonard’s Tower, a Norman tower in Kent. However, it no longer rotates.
English Heritage’s senior properties curator Roy Porter told the news website that it was one of the most “puzzling packages” they had ever received. “It’s a modern mystery to add to the historical questions posed by the tower,” Porter said.
Here is how netizens reacted:
— Paul Monk (@Revd_Paul_Monk) December 9, 2020
Talk about a LONG-TERM loan… or was it a ‘bailment’? https://t.co/Y6Mc09Zz8r
— Alexander Herman (@artlawalex) December 9, 2020
Better later than never!! https://t.co/XZVaHgjkdG
— Mortice Consulting (@MorticeConsult) December 9, 2020
Haha interesting well better late than never https://t.co/P1H4LCurj0
— Autumn, like the season (@witchyblerd) December 9, 2020
Um, theoretically, if one borrowed a library book in 1993, what would be the etiquette around returning it in 2020? https://t.co/EP4fDS1Jxd
— Kia Abdullah (@KiaAbdullah) December 9, 2020
Almost as good as finding a borrowed book at work that was due back 40 years ago😂 https://t.co/hrHD2bCwsE
— Morwenna Roche (@Morwanneg) December 9, 2020
i’ve just got visions of there being a door that hides a secrete hidden passage that no one has seen in 50 years
— Rob Slusar (@robslusar7) December 9, 2020