Amateur Metal Detectorist Strikes Gold with 18th-Century Noble-Linked Ring in Norfolk Field
Amateur Metal Detectorist Discovers Rare 18th-Century Noble’s Ring in Norfolk
Amateur treasure hunter Malcolm Weale, 53, struck gold—literally—when he unearthed a rare 18th-century mourning ring in a Norfolk field near Thetford. After searching the area for 18 months, Weale found the intricately crafted gold ring, which honors Sir Bassingbourne Gawdry, a British baronet who died in 1723.
“I knew this was something very special, and I did a bit of a dance,” Weale told the BBC. The ring, buried six inches deep, glinted in the sunlight, leaving him “shaking” with excitement. Its discovery, made on August 9, 2023, was recently declared treasure after analysis by the British Museum’s Portable Antiquities Scheme.
The Ring’s Unique Design
The gold ring features a hollowed-out oval depression on its exterior, adorned with enamel to depict a stylized skull—a common mourning symbol. Inside, an inscription reads: “B.G. Bart. ob: 10. Oct: 1723. aet: 56” (translating to “B.G. Baronet, died 10th October 1723, aged 56”).
[Image: Close-up of the skull design on the gold ring, highlighting its gray enamel and black detailing.]
Sir Bassingbourne Gawdry, the 3rd Baronet of Harling, died in a hunting accident. Historian Helen Geake notes such rings were likely commissioned posthumously for mourners, though this is the only known surviving example.
A Noble Legacy
The Gawdys were a prominent Norfolk family. Sir Bassingbourne’s father, Sir John Gawdy (1639–1699), was a celebrated deaf painter and an early British user of sign language. Despite his father’s fame, Sir Bassingbourne died unmarried, and his title expired with him.
[Image: Portrait of Sir John Gawdy, showcasing his self-portrait and artistic skill.]
The family’s roots trace back to Sir Brews Gawdey, a French knight captured during the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453). The Gawdy Hall estate, built in the 1500s, once hosted Queen Elizabeth I.
A Detectorist’s Triumph
Weale, who began metal detecting at age seven, called this find “one of my best days.” Over decades, he’s uncovered Roman coins and jewelry, but this ring stands out. “It’s rare to connect a find to a name,” he said.
[Image: Malcolm Weale holding the ring, smiling in the field where it was discovered.]
Why It Matters
The ring offers a tangible link to Norfolk’s aristocratic past. While its original owner remains unknown—possibly a friend or associate of Sir Bassingbourne—it underscores the Gawdys’ enduring legacy. For Weale, the thrill lies in bridging history: “Sometimes, 20 minutes of searching leads to an amazing discovery.”
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