In a fascinating turn of events, a metal detectorist named Kevin Duckett unearths a long-lost treasure—the crown jewel of Henry VIII, missing for more than 400 years. This incredible discovery, made in a field near Market Harborough in Northamptonshire, provides a rare glimpse into a part of history that many believed was lost forever.
Exploration
Kevin Duckett, 49, came across the 2.5-inch gem while walking through a field. At first, he thought it was nothing more than crumpled tin foil, perhaps the discarded packaging from Mr Kipling’s cake. However, upon closer inspection, he realized that he had discovered something much more valuable. The jewel made of solid gold is estimated to be worth up to 2 million pounds.
Mr. Duckett shared his initial thoughts on the find: “It was on the side of a hole only a few inches deep. I carefully took it out and looked at its color and weight and knew that it was solid gold.”
Historical background
Historians have long feared that the gem was lost during a tumultuous period of British history. After Oliver Cromwell ordered Henry VIII’s crown melted down and sold as coins in 1649, following the abolition of the monarchy and the execution of Charles I, the fate of its gems remained unknown. . The 344 stones that once adorned the crown, valued by Parliament at £1,100, were sold individually.
Mr Duckett’s discovery has rekindled hope for historians, offering a tangible link to a bygone era and intricate details of royal rule.
Symbol of the gem
The jewel has an enamel figure which Mr. Duckett identified as Henry VI. This figure was originally part of a crown, decorated with five lilies—a stylized lily associated with royalty. Notably, Henry VIII modified the crown, replacing the three figures of Christ with three saints of England: Saint Edmund, Edward the Confessor, and Henry VI.
This historic monument, with its intricate design and symbolic significance, offers insight into the craftsmanship and symbolism of royal regalia in the late Middle Ages.
Journey of the Crown
The crown, adorned with the jewel, played an important role in history, being used at the coronation of Charles I. When Charles I fled from Oliver Cromwell after the Battle of Naseby in 1645, he passed by through the same place where Mr. Duckett found the pearl. Experts speculate that the jewel may have fallen out of the crown due to Charles’ haste or that he buried it on purpose.
British Museum response
The gem is now kept at the British Museum, where experts have dated it to the late Middle Ages. A museum spokesman said: “It is a gold-glazed statue of Henry VI as a saint and appears to have been used as a coat of arms or attached by rings on its back to an object. other body.” The museum aims to acquire the gem through the Treasure process, ensuring it remains available for public and academic research.
Kevin Duckett’s discovery of Henry VIII’s lost jewel was a remarkable event that brought a piece of history back to light. This unexpected discovery not only sheds light on the fate of a historical artifact but also provides insight into the cultural and symbolic changes that occurred during turbulent times in British history. When the gem finds its way to the British Museum, it will certainly capture the imagination of scholars and history enthusiasts alike, adding a new chapter to the story of the country’s rich and complex past. Older brother.