Brian Dooks
ONE of the rarest pieces of Viking gold jewellery to be found in Britain or Ireland has returned to the City of York.
The arm ring – weighing 325 grammes – was found among the possessions of a former builder after the 88-year-old man died in February, 2004.
It was taken to York coroner, Donald Coverdale, by Douglas Ingle who found the ring while sorting through his father's belongings and realised it had archaeological importance.
A treasure inquest heard that Mr Ingle's father had worked in the building trade all his life and lived in the York area, which was the Viking capital of the North of England. Mr Coverdale declared the ring to be treasure which made it Crown property, but it has now been bought by the Yorkshire Museum in York.
The pure gold arm band is only the third of this type ever to be found in Britain and Ireland.
The York Museum Trust, which runs the Yorkshire Museum, was successful in applying for funding to purchase the arm ring. It will go on display in the next few weeks.
The museum's curator of archaeology, Andrew Morrison, said: "This is only the second arm ring of this type to be found in England and for us to have it is exceptional.
"It is a stunningly nice piece and not only is it gold and Viking but incredibly rare as well. We are delighted that we are able to keep it here in York where it was found."
The bracelet is from the 9th or 10th century and comprises three strands of intertwined gold. It would have been owned by only the most affluent members of Viking society.
Mr Morrison said: "Viking warriors were often awarded silver bands for being successful in battle but a gold one was worn by the rich – most probably Royalty."
He added: "One important point the arm ring illustrates is that York was not just the home of tradesman and a dirty, smelly place to be, as is often the stereotypical image. These bands would have been worn by some of the richest and most powerful people in the country and they lived right here in York."
The arm band was bought by the York Museum Trust with funding from the Victoria and Albert Museum Purchase Grant Fund and the Headley Trust.