North Sussex, England
In an ordinary field in North Essex, England, a metal detectorist has made an exciting historical discovery dating back to the Middle Ages.
The detectorist found a gold medieval ring engraved with a beautiful declaration of love and a silver hooked tag. The finds, as per BBC, are subject to a coroner's inquest at Chelmsford.
Engraved love
The gold medieval ring with a love declaration in French was found near Frinton. On another occasion, the same detectorist landed upon a silver hooked tag in the field.
"Je desir vous Ceruir," reads the ring. This French term is a declaration of love and translates to "I desire to serve you". The language is a type of French used in England during the Middle Ages.
Also read | Mona Lisa reflects Leonardo da Vinci's genius in more ways than one. Here's how
The gold ring was found in a cracked condition and is pretty small, with a diameter of merely 9.4 millimetres, and a width of 3.9 millimetres, reports BBC News.
Its style, as per experts, was popular between 1400 and 1500 — rings with chivalric mottos were all the rage back then. Smitten by their love, in a courtly love tradition, men would often have mottos like "I desire to serve you" or "wish to obey" engraved as promises.
They also believe it belonged to someone with an elite status, and a connection to the French.
'I desire to serve you'
The ring, though pretty small, belonged to a man, speculates Lori Rogerson, the Essex County Finds Liaison Officer for the Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service.
She said the ring is so "tiny it only fits on my little finger" and that it was probably worn on all joints of all the fingers.
Also read | This stunning visualisation of Mars' gigantic 'Labyrinth of Night' will blow your mind
"At this period rings were worn on all the joints of all the fingers so that it could have been worn on the upper joint," said Rogerson, while talking to BBC.
The metal detectorist also found a Tudor silver-gilt hooked tag that women probably used to hold up one layer of skirt from another, so both were visible.
(With inputs from agencies)
WATCH WION LIVE HERE
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.