[MR] BBC: Gold Love Ring Found in Essex

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble friends,

Today the BBC is offering an illustrated story about a 15th century gold
ring found near Frinton, Essex.

The bling is small, possibly to fit the upper joint on a man's pinky
finger. It is engraved with the French text "Je desir vous ceruir", which
translates as "I desire to serve you." Such rings were popular during the
height of the "courtly love" craze, and are usually engraved with similar
French phrases.

The ring was found by a metal detectorist just yards from where the same
searcher earlier found a gilded hooked tag. Hooked tags were used to
separate layers of a lady's dresses. It is thought that the two pieces
might have been lost by the same person.

The ring and the tag have been declared treasure, and will likely be
purchased for a museum.

You can see both bits of bling at
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-67090627 .

There is also a link to another hooked tag, this one dating from the 16th
century, at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-norfolk-66925655 .

Yours aye,


Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep Merry Rose relevant and in business.