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This tethering ring, also known as a 'wrestle' or 'rassel', came from Messrs Cook & Sons Ltd., a slaughtering business in Wedmore, Somerset, which closed down circa 1939. It was used for tethering animals before they were taken for slaughter. Attached to the ring is a piece of rope with a 'safety tie', used to prevent the animal working the knot loose.

tethering ring: metal (iron), string

‘Notes Concerning a Visit to Wedmore on 9th October, 1963, and on the Material Collected’ by J. W. Anstee – ‘Messrs. Cook (of Wedmore) were one of two local businesses devoted to the slaughtering of all types of livestock and supplying the butchers of the district. The firm seems to have been going strong for at least 150 years (probably) in the same premises and appears to have been combined with various family smallholdings concerned with dairy and beef cattle, both on the higher ground and on the marsh pasture. In fact, like most other rural ‘yeoman’ families they seem to have had their fingers in many local pies. The family are well represented in the local churchyard for a long way back. // … // The business officially closed down at the beginning of the last war [World War II, i.e. 1939] when certain legislation took effect, but judging by the laughter involved when discussing the subject some illegal killing was done afterwards. // … // N.B. Cooks were proud of the fact that they had dealt in “English meat only”.’, ‘Notes Concerning a Visit to Wedmore on 9th October, 1963, and on the Material Collected’ by J. W. Anstee – ‘[The beast pen] could originally hold two beasts in separate stalls. The beast destined for slaughter was penned in the stall which contained the planked door opening into the building. The animal was haltered to a ring capable of vertical movement up and down a post, usually on the day previous to execution. Provided with some fodder the animal thus had some time to quieten down. (Specimens of the iron WRESTLE or RASSEL rings were acquired – one with the specially knotted rope used for tying up completely with the “safety” tie need to prevent the animal working the knot loose).’