Medieval gold ring unearthed in field
Fleckney, Kev Duckett, metal detectorist and (below) the medieval gold and sapphire ring he found in Mowsley.
A GLEAMING gold and sapphire ring found in a field near Mowsley and believed to date back to the 13th century could net its finder a pretty penny after it was declared treasure.
The ring, which preliminary research suggests could have belonged to a high-ranking church member, was discovered by Fleckney man Kev Duckett.
The metal detectorist was searching in a field near Mowsley on a bitterly cold day in March when he made the amazing find.
“I heard the bleep, dug a little hole and there it was,” Mr Duckett told the Mail.
“It was a good buzz. I realised straight away what I had found.
“Mud doesn’t seem to stick to gold so it looked as good as new.
“It was a bitterly cold day. It was one of those days when you’re thinking you’re a bit mad for being out there. It was worth it.
“I searched the area to see if there was anything else but there wasn’t, so I wrapped the ring up and called it a day.”
A member of the Hinckley Search Society, Mr Duckett took the ring to the group to begin the treasure process.
Under British law, any item found which is more than 300 years old with a content of more than 10 per cent gold or silver other is regarded treasure.
Findings must be reported to the Coroner within 14 days, with the finder and land owner awarded money if the Crown decides to claim the item.
This ring was declared treasure by coroner Catherine Mason at Leicester Town Hall on Monday.
It will now go on to be valued.
Research carried out by Mr Duckett leads him to believe the ring might have belonged to a high-ranking church member.
Sapphires were rare in medieval England and reserved for royalty, upper nobility or high-ranking clergy.
“I would like to see it end up in a museum,” added Mr Duckett.
“It’s too nice to be stuck in a drawer - it spend long enough in the ground!”
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Monday 20 May 2013
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