Story Highlight
– Two medieval religious rings discovered in North Yorkshire.
– Auction at Noonans Mayfair with £13,000 estimate.
– Focus on Christ’s suffering seen in devotional jewellery.
– Highlights popularity of religious guilds during Medieval period.
– Corpus Christi Guild at York had 17,000 members.
Full Story
A North Yorkshire metal detectorist has unearthed two medieval religious rings that will be auctioned at Noonans Mayfair, with a collective estimate reaching as high as £13,000. The auction, which features a variety of items including watches and silverware, is scheduled for Tuesday, 22 September 2026.
Laura Smith, a jewellery specialist at Noonans, provided insights into the significance of these artefacts, stating, “During the Medieval period there was a shift in tone in Christian devotion towards an emphasis on Christ’s bodily suffering to bring redemption to the world.” She explained that this change is reflected in the artwork of the time, particularly in the representation of Christ’s five wounds and the associated bloodshed, which influenced personal devotional items such as the first ring.
Moreover, Smith highlighted the prevalence of religious guilds during this era, mentioning the Corpus Christi Guild in York, established in 1408, which boasted a membership of 17,000 by the time of its dissolution. One notable member was James Strangeways, a local landowner in proximity to where the rings were discovered.
