This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-65383377
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Metal detectorist's shock at 15th Century baby Jesus ring find | Metal detectorist's shock at 15th Century baby Jesus ring find |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Matthew Hepworth said the historic find was a "dream come true" | |
| A metal detectorist has told of his "shock" after finding a gold ring engraved with baby Jesus which is believed to be more than 500 years old. | A metal detectorist has told of his "shock" after finding a gold ring engraved with baby Jesus which is believed to be more than 500 years old. |
| Matthew Hepworth, 48, found the rare oval ring which also features the Virgin Mary in a field in Lancaster. | Matthew Hepworth, 48, found the rare oval ring which also features the Virgin Mary in a field in Lancaster. |
| The nurse, of Morecambe, Lancashire, said the "once in a lifetime" find was thought to date back to the 1400s. | |
| An inquest will later rule whether it is treasure but Mr Hepworth hopes it will end up in a local museum. | An inquest will later rule whether it is treasure but Mr Hepworth hopes it will end up in a local museum. |
| The father-of-two told the BBC: "I am over the moon about it. I was so shocked to find it. | The father-of-two told the BBC: "I am over the moon about it. I was so shocked to find it. |
| "I have been metal detecting for more than 30 years and this is a once in a lifetime find. | "I have been metal detecting for more than 30 years and this is a once in a lifetime find. |
| The ring just after it was dug out of the ground | The ring just after it was dug out of the ground |
| "It's a dream come true. It tops everything and is a very rare find for the UK." | "It's a dream come true. It tops everything and is a very rare find for the UK." |
| Mr Hepworth told the field's landlord who was "gobsmacked" by the discovery which came after a faint sound on his metal detector. | Mr Hepworth told the field's landlord who was "gobsmacked" by the discovery which came after a faint sound on his metal detector. |
| He has also informed the finds officer and Lancaster City Museum after the discovery earlier this month. | He has also informed the finds officer and Lancaster City Museum after the discovery earlier this month. |
| The oval ring featuring baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary | The oval ring featuring baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary |
| The Lune Valley Detecting Club member said it was a "privilege" to have "salvaged a piece of history from the ground". | The Lune Valley Detecting Club member said it was a "privilege" to have "salvaged a piece of history from the ground". |
| The charge nurse also in the past found a Bronze Age burial site in 2016 and a silver seal depicting a slave. | The charge nurse also in the past found a Bronze Age burial site in 2016 and a silver seal depicting a slave. |
| Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk | Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Archaeology | Archaeology |
| Morecambe | Morecambe |
| Metal detecting | Metal detecting |
| Lancaster | Lancaster |
| Treasure | Treasure |