Mysterious ring that could date back to pre-Viking era

Ever since it was found by York and District Metal Detecting Club member, Michael Greenhorn in April 2009 in a field near York, the ring has been the subject of mystery. Around 2.5cm across, the gold finger-ring is set with a large central sapphire surrounded by triangular red glass inlays and embellished around the edge with fine gold and beaded wiring. It is thought that a ring of this quality would only have been worn by someone of very high status – perhaps a King, Queen or local Chief but pinning down the exact period that the ring dates from is a puzzle that has so far eluded experts.

The use of the sapphire in a ring of this style is rare – it is thought to be the second earliest known example of the use of the stone ever found in the country. Its presence along with the use of highly skilled gold beading would suggest that the ring is from the Viking period of the 10th and 11th centuries. However, experts don’t believe this is the beginning of the ring’s story – the combination of gold with red and blue inlays of glass suggest an altogether older origin, dating the ring somewhere between the 7th and 9th centuries making it more typical of the Anglian style, lesser known in the area’s history.

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