13/03/2019 - 11/04/2019
The ring was discovered by a metal detectorist on land in Nayland, and was offered to Moyse's Hall Museum to buy via the Portable Antiquities Scheme.
It falls into a category or style collectively known as “Stirrup Rings” because of the shape. The ring extends at its shoulder to the bezel (creating a miniature stirrup shape) which at one time housed a precious stone or gem. On the external face of the ring from the right side of the bezel to the left is an inscription that reads “Amie Tu Et Ma Vie (Friend you are my life). Inscriptions are very rare on this style of ring, presumably because of the generally small width of the band of the loop making it hard to inscribe. The font style has led Archaeologists to conclude that it probably dates to the 14th Century. Its size also probably means it was made for and worn by a woman. This brings a wonderfully personal and emotive, possibly tragic even, story to an object. What happened to either the friend who “was someone else’s life” and indeed what was the life of that person in turn.
You can see this ring on display in Moyse's Hall Museum in the Lacy Scott & Knight case until 11th April.
The display will be in the reception area of Moyse's Hall Museum (therefore free to visit), although we highly recommend that you explore the rest of the museum which is in a 12th century building and houses a world-renowned clock collection, wonderful works of art, a crime & punishment gallery, as well as charting the history of Bury St Edmunds.
More details here.