IT belonged to an English lord who was executed for treason.
But now a silver ring found in a Hampshire field has officially been declared treasure after being discovered during a metal detectors’ event.
The 300-year-old hawk ring, known as a vervel, was discovered at the Stratton Park estate near Micheldever by Paul Reynolds from Andover in March 2011.
Mr Reynolds was among 200 people at the metal detectors’ rally with the ring one of around 100 finds reported to Winchester Museums Service.
Engravings on the ring reveal it belonged to Lord William Russell, who inherited the manor in 1667.
Lord Russell was involved in the Rye House plot to prevent James II succeeding his brother Charles II as king in 1683.
He and some other nobles planned to ambush the royal brothers but their plot was revealed and he was subsequently convicted of treason and beheaded.
Rob Webley, finds liaison officer for the museums service, said: “This small silver ring would have been strapped to the leg of a hawk to identify to whom it belonged. It identifies William Russell as the owner so it must date back to the 17th century.”
Grahame Short, Coroner for Central Hampshire, recorded the find as treasure at an inquest on Wednesday, April 4.
Mr Webley said the ring would now go to the British Museum to be valued and that Winchester Museum Service was interested in buying the vervel.
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