|
Title: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: Neil on April 17, 2014, 12:16:05 PM By Hugo Gye A gold ring made by a wealthy money lender who owned the land where Buckingham Palace now stands has been found in a field by a treasure hunter. The 24-carat piece of jewellery was a 'mourning ring' made in memory of Hugh Audley, a major landowner in the Jacobean period. It was found near Tibenham in Norfolk by John Reed using his metal detector, and was yesterday declared treasure trove by a coroner. Treasure: This mourning ring was made in memory of Hugh Audley, a famous money lender Hugh Audley was one of the most famous - and notorious - money lenders of the 17th century, and was worth the equivalent of £30million when he died. He owned land across Mayfair, which was then on the edge of London, including the plot where Buckingham Palace would later be built. He also became sheriff of Norfolk, and owned land across the county including Old Buckenham Castle, New Buckenham Castle and Tibenham Hall. Discovery: The ring was found by enthusiast John Reed using his metal detector in Tibenham, Norfolk Property: Audley owned the land where Buckingham Palace now stands, then just outside London After he died in 1662, he passed his fortune to a great-nephew, and it was eventually inherited by the Grosvenor family which still owns swathes of central London. He also left a number of mourning rings to his family, like the one found by Mr Reed. 'According to Mr Audley's will, he had 11 rings made in two different sizes - one to fit men and the other for women,' he said. 'I haven't heard that any of the others are in existence.' Home: The remains of Old Buckenham Castle, one of the many properties owned by Audley Legacy: Audley Street in Mayfair is named after the landowner and money lender Mr Reed added: 'I am so excited about it. 'I have found some lovely 13th-century thimbles but not something you can associate with a specific person like this. 'If I keep metal detecting for the next 20 years, I don't think I will ever find anything as good as this.' The ring is currently being held at the British Museum, and it is not yet known what its final destination will be. Title: Re: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: jcb (THE THIMBLE) jones on April 17, 2014, 03:55:44 PM imagine finding that on the beach badgers , you would get 300 scrap for that :D :D
Title: Re: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: HAMMERRHOID on April 17, 2014, 05:49:23 PM Find of a life time a lovely ring with great history
Title: Re: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: dances with badgers on April 18, 2014, 08:26:12 AM oooh look at dat beauty oooooooosh bang tidy
Title: Re: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: whosyouruncle on April 19, 2014, 07:54:12 PM Wow ,what a find.
Title: Re: Treasure hunter strikes gold to find ring belonging to wealthy 17th-century Post by: Dale on April 19, 2014, 08:02:33 PM Cheers for posting Neil ;)
|