A rare medieval bishop’s ring, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, is set to be auctioned at Noonans Mayfair on March 26, 2025. Discovered in the village of Shipdham, located in Norfolk, eastern England, the gold ring, adorned with its original gemstones, is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £18,000.
Mark Sell, 63, made the discovery on November 22, 2019, while metal detecting with a friend in a field on King Row. “I had been on the field a couple of times before but had not found anything of importance,” he recalled. “I had been detecting for a couple of hours with a friend, using my XP Deus metal detector, when just before it started to go dark, I got a faint signal and dug down about nine inches to find what has to be the best item I have found so far!”
Realizing he had found something significant, he described the moment: “I was amazed to see a thin line of gold in the clod of mud that I had dug up, and as I wiped away the mud, I could see the bezel of a medieval gold jewelled ring. I could also see that the ring was complete with all of the original jewels still in place and was in pristine condition.”
Sell immediately reported the find to the landowner and later took it to his local Finds Liaison Officer. The British Museum and Norwich Castle Museum were both involved in the treasure process. The ring was displayed temporarily at the British Museum, while Norwich Castle Museum expressed interest in acquiring it for their permanent collection. Experts at Noonans later examined the ring, confirming its extreme rarity and historical importance.
A Connection to Medieval Bishops
King Row ring – Photo courtesy Noonan’s Mayfair
According to Laura Smith, Jewellery Expert at Noonans, the ring fits within a well-documented tradition of medieval ecclesiastical jewellery. “This form of medieval ring, with a principal cabochon stone, usually a sapphire, surrounded by smaller collet-set satellite stones (garnets or rubies, and emeralds), can be securely dated to the late 12th or early 13th century, and is associated with the bishopric,” she explained.
Similar rings have been linked to high-ranking medieval clergy, including Walter de Gray, Archbishop of York from 1215 until his death in 1255. His ring is now on display at York Minster. Other comparable rings include those of the Bishop of Chichester and the Whithorn Cathedral ring.
The Medieval History of Shipdham
Photo courtesy Mark Sell
Shipdham itself has a rich medieval past. Smith detailed its significance: “The village of Shipdham, central Norfolk, was well established by the time of the Norman Conquest, extensively detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086, and at that time recorded as being within the largest 20% of settlements in England. During the reign of Henry III (1207–1272), the Bishop of Ely built a manor house at Shipdham, the moat in evidence on 19th-century maps. Also of importance during the medieval period, this area contained a Royal deer park, owned by the See of Ely. The park, composed of Little Haw and West Haw, was in existence by 1277 but passed into the hands of the Wodehouse family between 1561 and 1584. All Saints Church, Shipdham, dates from the 12th century.”
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Find
For Sell, the ring is the highlight of his metal detecting journey. “I have found some interesting things before, but this is by far the best,” he said. The proceeds from the sale of what is now known as the “King Row Ring” will be shared between Sell and the landowner. A retired firefighter, Sell has no firm plans for his portion of the funds.
A rare medieval bishop’s ring, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, is set to be auctioned at Noonans Mayfair on March 26, 2025. Discovered in the village of Shipdham, located in Norfolk, eastern England, the gold ring, adorned with its original gemstones, is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £18,000.
Mark Sell, 63, made the discovery on November 22, 2019, while metal detecting with a friend in a field on King Row. “I had been on the field a couple of times before but had not found anything of importance,” he recalled. “I had been detecting for a couple of hours with a friend, using my XP Deus metal detector, when just before it started to go dark, I got a faint signal and dug down about nine inches to find what has to be the best item I have found so far!”
Realizing he had found something significant, he described the moment: “I was amazed to see a thin line of gold in the clod of mud that I had dug up, and as I wiped away the mud, I could see the bezel of a medieval gold jewelled ring. I could also see that the ring was complete with all of the original jewels still in place and was in pristine condition.”
Sell immediately reported the find to the landowner and later took it to his local Finds Liaison Officer. The British Museum and Norwich Castle Museum were both involved in the treasure process. The ring was displayed temporarily at the British Museum, while Norwich Castle Museum expressed interest in acquiring it for their permanent collection. Experts at Noonans later examined the ring, confirming its extreme rarity and historical importance.
A Connection to Medieval Bishops
According to Laura Smith, Jewellery Expert at Noonans, the ring fits within a well-documented tradition of medieval ecclesiastical jewellery. “This form of medieval ring, with a principal cabochon stone, usually a sapphire, surrounded by smaller collet-set satellite stones (garnets or rubies, and emeralds), can be securely dated to the late 12th or early 13th century, and is associated with the bishopric,” she explained.
Similar rings have been linked to high-ranking medieval clergy, including Walter de Gray, Archbishop of York from 1215 until his death in 1255. His ring is now on display at York Minster. Other comparable rings include those of the Bishop of Chichester and the Whithorn Cathedral ring.
The Medieval History of Shipdham
Shipdham itself has a rich medieval past. Smith detailed its significance: “The village of Shipdham, central Norfolk, was well established by the time of the Norman Conquest, extensively detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086, and at that time recorded as being within the largest 20% of settlements in England. During the reign of Henry III (1207–1272), the Bishop of Ely built a manor house at Shipdham, the moat in evidence on 19th-century maps. Also of importance during the medieval period, this area contained a Royal deer park, owned by the See of Ely. The park, composed of Little Haw and West Haw, was in existence by 1277 but passed into the hands of the Wodehouse family between 1561 and 1584. All Saints Church, Shipdham, dates from the 12th century.”
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Find
For Sell, the ring is the highlight of his metal detecting journey. “I have found some interesting things before, but this is by far the best,” he said. The proceeds from the sale of what is now known as the “King Row Ring” will be shared between Sell and the landowner. A retired firefighter, Sell has no firm plans for his portion of the funds.
You can find details about this ring’s auction here. That day will see other pieces of medieval jewellery going for sale, including a 13th-century gold and garnet posy ring and an Edward IV ‘loyal’ ring.
Top Image: Photo courtesy Noonan’s Mayfair
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