Gold Ring that Belonged to Real Sheriff of Nottingham Sold

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On March 24 Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire, England began taking bids on one of the more fascinating historical artifacts they’ve put up for auction. The item they’re selling is a flashy golden signet ring that once belonged to the High Sheriff of Nottingham. No, not that Sheriff of Nottingham . The Sheriff who sought in vain to capture the virtuous outlaw Robin Hood is strictly the stuff of legends.

The ring being auctioned off belonged to a real-life, 17th century version of the Sheriff of Nottingham. This particular sheriff never chased Robin Hood around Sherwood Forest. But he did arrest actual lawbreakers who were caught carrying out their illegal affairs within the city limits of the real Nottingham, and he did so while flashing a fancy piece of finger jewelry that helped attest to his high status.

Adding more color to the story of the High Sheriff of Nottingham’s signet ring is how it was found. It was found in July 2020 by an amateur treasure hunter scanning a section of farmland near Rushcliffe, Nottinghamshire with a metal detector. For Graham Harrison, 64, a retired merchant navy engineer officer from Lincoln, Lincolnshire, the discovery of the valuable 17th century ring represents the highlight of his 10-year “career” as a detectorist.
“It was the first big dig after lockdown on a glorious day,” Harrison remembered, sharing the details of his discovery in a Hansons press release . “We were searching two fields. Other detectorists kept finding hammered coins but I’d found nothing. Then I suddenly got a signal. I dug up a clod of earth but couldn’t see anything. I kept breaking up the clod and, on the last break, a gold ring was shining at me.”

After the experts verified the legitimacy of the ring and returned it to his possession, Harrison decided to put it up for auction. “I’m only selling it because it’s been stuck in a drawer. I hope it will go to someone who will appreciate its historical value.” The rare and exquisitely crafted gold ring is in excellent condition. It was expected to sell at auction for somewhere between $8,000 to $10,500. It finally sold for a respectable $11,200.



https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/sheriff-nottingham-0016568

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1. Introducing Sir Matthew Jenison, High Sheriff of Nottingham

The gold ring carries the coat of arms of the Jenison family. The Jenisons were prominent in English politics in the 16th and 17th centuries, occupying various government positions and political offices in Nottinghamshire County (where the city of Nottingham is located) in England’s East Midlands region.

“The ring has survived in near perfect condition and the front face bears a detailed engraving of the Jenison family arms, two swans separated by a diagonal bend,” said Hansons consultant Adam Staples. “This would have been pressed into melted wax in order to seal the family crest on important letters and documents.” The experts have confirmed that the original owner of the gold signet ring was one Sir Matthew Jenison .

Trained as a lawyer, Matthew was knighted in 1683 at the age of 29 and assumed the office of High Sheriff of Nottingham in that same year. The office of High Sheriff was actually separate from the office of sheriff, so there were really two individuals who carried the title “Sheriff of Nottingham” at that time (and in the years beyond). Sir Matthew remained High Sheriff for one year, and later went on to serve as a member of the Parliament representing the village of Newark.

Ironically, Sir Matthew shared an important characteristic with the fictional Sheriff of Nottingham. Like the dastardly sheriff who harassed Robin Hood, Sir Matthew was ethically challenged and apparently quite the scoundrel. He was sued several times for various forms of misconduct, and was eventually sentenced to prison for failing to pay his legal fees from one of these suits. He died while incarcerated in 1734, remembered more for his misdeeds than his positive accomplishments.

https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/sheriff-nottingham-0016568

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2. Side note: Detectorists

BBC tv series, 3 seasons, 2014-19

My top series of all time.

https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/detectorists

Andy and Lance are friends who share a passion for metal detecting. Although they act like an old married couple -- griping at each other -- there is a true bond between the two, and they have a common dream: finding a priceless collection of items that would cement their place in detecting history. Greed, betrayal and redemption are among the emotions experienced as Andy and Lance, along with their eccentric friends in the Danebury Metal Detecting Club, go in search of the big find that has eluded them to this point. The sitcom is written and directed by co-star Mackenzie Crook.