'Extremely rare' gold ring found at Roydon linked to woman

The ring is believed to have been owned by Dorothy Ashfield

A "historically important" gold seal ring owned by a woman born in 1594 is expected to make up to £16,000 at auction.

It was discovered by a metal detectorist, Alan Rumsby, in a field at Roydon near Diss, Norfolk.

"I have never found anything made of gold in over 10 years of detecting, so I was really excited," he said.

Coin expert Nigel Mills said it was "extremely rare to find a seal ring of this period that was worn by a woman".

Alan Rumsby had already searched the field the ring was found in several times before when he made the discovery

Mr Mills said the arms etched on the ring were "divided into four, each representing her ancestral family heritage, namely Ashfield, Tendring, Botelier and finally Mapersall".

The five-pointed star in the centre of the ring represents a third son.

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"So we believe the ring was owned by Dorothy Ashfield, who was the eldest daughter of the third son Thomas Ashfield of Hopton in Suffolk and his wife Ellen Holditch of Ranworth in Norfolk," he said.

He added this has made it "historically important".

Mr Mills said the coin was found in October 2020, close to the old hall at Brockdish, which was owned by John Tendring and whose family arms appear on the second quadrant of the ring bezel.

Dorothy Ashfield's ancestral family heritage, namely Ashfield, Tendring, Botelier and Mapersall, are quartered on the seal

Mr Rumsby, 75, said: "It was only after it was taken to the museum that I realised how significant this discovery was."

He reported the find to the Portable Antiquities Scheme, in line with the Treasure Act 1996.

It has been disclaimed - which means no museum was interested in acquiring the ring.

As a result, it will be sold by auctioneers Noonans Mayfair on 12 March, with the proceeds shared with the landowner.

Mr Rumsby, a retired carpenter, said: "I intend to use the money, which will be shared with the landowner, on a holiday for my wife and myself."