Centuries-old ring found 'gleaming in the sunshine'
A metal detectorist has discovered a gold mourning ring dating from the 18th Century "gleaming in the sunshine".
Malcom Weale, 53, unearthed the ring in a field near Thetford, in Norfolk, in August.
The piece of jewellery, linked to an ancestor of Gawdy Hall Estate in Harleston, is believed to have been created in memory of Sir Bassingbourne Gawdy, the 3rd Baronet of Harling, who died in a hunting accident in 1723, aged 56.
Describing the moment he spotted it, Mr Weale said: "I knew this was something very special and I did a bit of a dance."
Mr Weale, who has been a detectorist since he was seven years old, found the piece, that was crafted in gold and enamel, after searching the area for 18 months.
He also discovered "some medieval silver coins from King Stephen to Henry VII, some modern coins, some vape ring pulls and shotgun caps".
The ring has been declared treasure at Norfolk Coroner's Court and will now be taken to the British Museum for valuation, to see how much money the finder and landowner will get.
Mr Weale said: "Over the years I've found all sorts of treasures including a hoard of late Roman coins, gold rings and jewellery.
"Last year was a particularly good year for detecting as, thanks to the rainfall, the moisture levels in the ground were very high.
"With metal detecting you can spend days, weeks or months searching, or sometimes just 20 minutes and make an amazing discovery."
'Six inches down in the mud'
On the day of the discovery, he said: "There it was, a glint of pure gold, shiny as the day it was dropped, six inches down in the mud.
"It's very rare to put a name to anything you find, but I knew this was something very special and I did a bit of a dance."
He also discovered "a gold memorial ring, a medieval silver ring fragment, and the first and only Viking penny minted for Guthrum - a Viking warlord who became the first Viking king to convert to Christianity and ruled East Anglia in the 870s".
The Gawdy family is believed to have been descended from Sir Brews Gawdey, a French knight who was captured during the Hundred Years War.
After being taken prisoner in 1352, it appears he was naturalised and settled in Suffolk, although the Gawdy Hall estate is just north of the River Waveney in Norfolk.
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dani Dyer parties into the early hours after Bridgerton themed wedding in a racy lace mini as father of the bride Danny kicks off the reception with rude West Ham anthem
Love Island star Dani Dyer married West Ham ace Jarrod Bowen on Saturday in a lavish stately home ceremony surrounded by their celeb pals. And after the Bridgeton themed ceremony, it was time for the couple to let their hair down at a raucous reception. The bride spent Sunday reposting stunning social media snaps from her friends and family who gathered at the luxury five-star Langley Hotel in Buckinghamshire for the big day. After wowing in a £10,000 designer gown by Suzanne Neville for the ceremony, Dani changed into a stunning lace mini dress with new photos showing the beaming bride dancing late into the night. The fun was kicked off by father of the bride Danny Dyer who led a wedding breakfast chant of the rude West Ham anthem, 'Bowen's on fire and he's sh***ing Dani Dyer,' to the 1997 hit Freed from Desire. TOWIE star Georgia Kousoulou shared photos on Instagram as she shared drinks and the dancefloor with Dani. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Dani looked incredible in her second dress, whilst Georgia wowed in a custom baby blue gown. Speaking on her joint podcast with her dad Danny Dyer, Dani revealed she was keeping her first wedding dress a surprise from her dad until the big day to honour a special tradition. 'Have you not seen that first look when the dad sees their daughter in their dress and that? Oh, it's lovely,' she shared. 'Yeah, your dad's not meant to see it – it's a moment for the dad as well!' The wedding took place at the five star Langley Hotel, which sits on the estate of the third Duke of Marlborough, in former royal hunting grounds. Since the nuptials, Dani has shared a slew of snaps and videos across her socials, including one sweet image of her children, son Santiago, four, who she shares with ex Sammy Kimmence, and twins Summer and Star, two, who she shares with Jarrod, glancing out the window, while their grandfather Danny Dyer watched on. Dani and Jarrod's two-year-old twin daughters were flower girls, with her son and brother Arty, 11, as page boys. Her sister Sunnie was one of six bridesmaids, who all wowed in matching one shoulder pink dresses. Sunnie, 18, also had a role during the ceremony as she read a poem from Sex and The City's wedding scene, which went: 'His hello was the end of her endings. Her laugh was their first step down the aisle. His hand would be hers to hold forever. 'His forever was as simple as her smile. He said she was what was missing. She said instantly she knew. She was a question to be answered. And his answer was 'I do'.' Dani has had a whirlwind few months, filled with two lavish hen parties and all the excitement of getting ready for her big day. Speaking to Heat magazine earlier this week, Dani said: 'I have finally done my table plans now. Until you are in there writing names out, making sure you have tables of 10, it's the most stressful experience ever - that's the only thing I've not enjoyed.' Dani also revealed she will take on a double-barrell surname after the wedding, becoming Dyer-Bowen. She said: 'I am going to keep the Dyer - I am going to do Dani Dyer-Bowen just because of my work. I feel like if I am Dani Bowen, it takes that thing away from me. We are double-barrelling it.'
Daily Mail
22 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Kate Middleton carries it - now you can too! Aspinal of London's iconic handbags are now up to 50% off - don't miss these sale picks from just £50
Aspinal of London have huge reductions across their site with up to 50 per cent off, including many items for under £50. Known for their timeless elegance and craftsmanship, Aspinal has been a favourite among royals. The brand has been seen worn by Kate Middleton, Princess Beatrice, and Zara Tindall, solidifying its status as a staple of refined British style. And with up to half-price on some of their most popular designs, including handbags and leather travel items, there's never been a better time to invest in a new bag for summer ahead of any holidays, weddings or special events. With such impressive reductions, it's also a great time to shop for gifts for Father's Day. Highlights for him include the Mount Street Washbag - now a massive 50 per cent off in the Aspinal sale and the Aspinal of London 8 Card Billfold Wallet, now under £50. Aspinal of London Midi London Tote You can't go wrong with the classic and wholly elegant signature London Leather Tote Bag. A versatile everyday companion, the timeless tote can be carried by the soft top handles or worn over one shoulder. This gorgeous racing green is perfect for all year round, too. £357 (save £238) Shop Aspinal of London Camera Crossbody A crossbody bag is a brilliant way to go hands free yet have all your essentials on you and Aspinal of London does this so well with the Camera Crossbody Bag. £207 (save £88) Shop Aspinal of London Stella Satchel Crossbody Wherever your summer trips take you, whether it's mid-week in the city to weekends out in the country, the Stella Satchel is a super chic way of carrying your essentials - and now for half-price. £275 (save £275) Shop Aspinal of London Regent Tote Taking you from work to the weekend, the Regent Tote Bag is semi-structured and lightweight with a spacious interior with the capacity to hold a lightweight 14-inch laptop along with an open slip pocket for your valuables. £255 (save £170) Shop Aspinal of London City Leather Folio Case Aspinal of London do brilliant leather accessories that would make for gorgeous gifts, and with Father's Day around the corner, the City Leather Folio Case is a great idea. Especially as it's on sale for 40 per cent off. £150 (save £100) Shop Aspinal of London Classic 5oz Leather Hip Flask No just £39, it's a great time to shop the Classic 5oz Leather Hip Flask. A brilliant wedding gift or gift for Father's Day you can also get this engraved to add an extra special touch. £38 (save £17) Shop Aspinal of London Portobello Crossbody A take on the saddle bag, the Aspinal Portobello bag is handcrafted from full-grain leather and secured by the brand's signature letterbox closure. £248 (save £248) Shop Aspinal of London 8 Card Billfold Wallet If you're looking for a gift for him, then the Aspinal of London 8 Card Billfold Wallet is a classic gift that's sure to be welcomed by anyone. A classic, the simple design is handcrafted from full-grain leather, and features eight credit card slots, a full-length compartment for notes and two hidden pockets for receipts or other cards. £49 (save £50) Shop
BBC News
30 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Our honeymoon money paid for my husband's funeral'
Two young widows who lost their husbands to heart conditions have launched a podcast about their Burr, 31, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, and Gabby Evans, 32, from Burnley, have previously campaigned to lower the age of NHS health Burr, whose husband died six months after their wedding, said the weekly podcast would deal with "raw emotions and real lives".She told the first episode: "I literally had to spend the money me and Ed had earmarked for a honeymoon on his funeral." Her husband fell ill on the day after their wedding in April 2024 and was diagnosed shortly afterwards with dilated cardiomyopathy, which inhibits blood died in October at the age of 32 while waiting for a heart Evans' partner Tom Brakewell, who was 34, died suddenly at home in January 2025 with an undiagnosed heart widows, who have never met in person, previously joined forces to launch an online petition to lower the age - currently 40 - at which the NHS starts to invite patients for full health screening. Mrs Burr said: "I fully believe if health checks were mandatory and Edward had gone for a health MOT between 25 and 30 his heart issue would have been flagged and he would still be here."The pair released The Podcast That Shouldn't Exist on the first episode, Mrs Burr told how she walked down the aisle at the wedding and the funeral to the same music, from her husband's favourite film series Lord Of The Evans described her fantasy that her partner would leap up and "jump scare" her at the chapel of rest. The pair said the podcast was "a space we never asked to create about a club no-one wants to join".In response to the widows' campaign, the Department of Health and Social Care said: "Our deepest sympathies are with the families of Edward and Tom."The NHS's life-saving health checks are targeted towards those at higher risk, preventing around 500 heart attacks and strokes every year and stopping people developing a range of diseases."To increase availability and uptake of the checks, we are developing a new online service that eligible people can use at home to understand their risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
