On the fifth day of Christmas, our true loves (our donors and the Treasure Act) saved for us... five* goooold rings!
* Well, there's been a few more then five over the years. But here's a shiny round-up of five rings that don't always get to see the spotlight.
You'll probably have met the Sandal Castle ring and the Ackworth Hoard posy ring before.
So, let's have a look at five different rings, dating from the Romans to a 21st century drag icon!
Roman ring
This gold ring was found in excavations in Castleford during the 1970s and 1980s.
It is Roman, and dates to the 1st to 2nd century AD.
The Roman fort and settlement at Castleford was probably known as Lagentium. The first fort was built around 71 AD.
We owe lots of what we have learned about the first fort at Lagentium to a rubbish dump! Near to Church Street, a pile of Roman waste had been preserved due to waterlogging.
The fort and settlement in Castleford was important to the Romans. Around 86 AD they levelled the first fort and built a new one with stronger defences. There was also a civilian town, or vicus, which developed nearby.
Unlike other Roman settlements, Castleford continued to develop after the Roman garrison left. It became an important manufacturing and trading centre in the early 2nd century.
Archaeological digs of the vicus found lots of luxury items, like this ring.
Rosary ring
This unusual looking gold ring dates from the 15th to 16th century AD. It features an inset garnet and nine further lobes (circles). Each of the lobes has a letter on them.
The ten lobes probably relate to the ten prayers of the Catholic rosary. The wearer could keep track of each prayer by looking at or touching each lobe in turn.
The ring was found by a metal detectorist in Pontefract. We acquired it under the Treasure Act.
The Treasure Act 1996 sets out a clear process to save treasures for local people. Local museums are notified of all potential treasure finds in their collecting area. A museum can save the find for the local community by paying the finder or landowner based on its market value.
Puzzling posy ring
This is a small gold posy ring, dating to between 1600 and 1800 AD. On the outside are geometric patterns and heart and floral shapes. On the inside is the phrase 'no content to your consent'.
Posy rings were popular love tokens. They were often exchanged as engagement or wedding gifts. They could be plain on the outside or be decorated with enamel. The white / grey patches remaining on this ring aren't dirt - they are the remains of an ornate enamel decoration!
Many posy rings would also have a special secret message for the wearer inscribed inside. However, our ring's message is a little bit puzzling!
Other posy rings included phrases like 'After consent ever content', relating to the gift giver's happiness at the recipient accepting the ring.
However, our example here says 'No content to your consent'. This sounds more like a rejection to our ears! Or did it mean the giver was 'not content until your consent'? We may never know...
Pretty 'pie crust' post-medieval ring
This pretty post-medieval ring is dated in two parts. The golden ring band dates to between 1700 and 1800 AD. The gem, however, may be older, and could date back to 1500 AD. The off-white gem is probably a pearl.
This is another post-medieval ring featuring natural and leaf-like patterns. The cushioning around the ring has been described as having 'pie-crust-like' moulding. This particular pearly pie would cost you a pretty penny!
This ring was another metal detectorist find. It was discovered in Darrington. Who knows what other treasures might await under Shakey Wakey's soil?
A one-horse open slaaaay
It's also perhaps not real gold, and maybe features plastic gems - but because it belonged to Madam Connie, it's priceless to us!
Steven Ogilvie, also known as Madam Connie, is a popular local former drag artist from Wakefield.
Steven also spilled the 'T' about his experiences performing as Connie in an oral history interview. He says performing increased his confidence and helped him through difficult times. Now that's a serious slay.
Have our festive fancies got you into the Christmas spirit? Get stuck in with our sled-load of Christmas crafts and recipes!
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