Ring from late Middle Ages declared treasure

A silver ring dating back to the late Middle Ages has been formally declared treasure.

The ring, believed to date from between the 14th and 16th Centuries, was unearthed in the Eden Valley parish of Orton, Cumbria.

An inquest at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard it was one of more than 1.4m historical items officially logged by the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS).

Staff at Tullie House museum in Carlisle had expressed an interest in acquiring the ring, the hearing was told.

The inquest heard how a metal detectorist found the ring on land in July 2023.

It weighs 4.09g (0.14oz) and is made entirely of silver.

The court heard it was one of almost 1,000 silver, finger rings listed on the PAS database to have been considered under the Treasure Act.

Area coroner for Cumbria Kirsty Gomersal said she was "delighted" to declare the jewellery treasure.

The finder and landowner were not named in court but are to be informed of the ruling.

If a museum buys the item, the finder and the landowner share the payment, as long as the finder had permission to be on the land.

If it is not bought, the finder gets to keep the treasure and can sell it privately.

Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].