A medieval priory seal matrix used by priests centuries ago has been dug up by a 10-year-old metal detectorist – and trumps anything his dad has found during 20 years of treasure hunting.
When Paul Henderson took part in a charity dig to raise money for the Air Ambulance in Woodbridge, Suffolk, last November his son, George, tagged along for the day.
But little did they know that George would make the find of the event – within 10 minutes of taking his first straight path up the field! Buried about five inches in the ground was an important early 13th century oval-shaped seal displaying the Virgin and Child.
Thanks to ancient wording on the relic, he discovered his find was embedded in the area’s history. The seal’s Latin inscription translates to, ‘Seal of the Priory and Convent of Butley, of Adam, Canon Regular’. The ecclesiastical artefact is connected to Butley Priory, a religious house for canons founded near Woodbridge in 1171. Adam served as its prior from 1219 to 1235 which makes the object around 800 years old.
Due to its rarity and historical significance, the copper-alloy object will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ Historica sale on March 24 with a guide price of £4,000-£6,000. The proceeds will be shared between the lucky finder and the farmer whose land it was discovered on.
Paul, 45, a windscreen fitter from Sutton in Ashfield, Notts, said: “The seal’s historical importance rather than value is what’s important to both me and George. It’s the most exciting find either of us have ever made.
“George has been metal detecting on and off since the age of five but he doesn’t always come out with me. He’s found one or two interesting things over the years.
“He knew the seal was special when he dug it up but he didn’t know what it was. I did. I knew it was a medieval seal matrix. What I didn’t know then was how unusual or valuable it was. George was laid back about it at first but, as the day wore on, people kept asking to look at it and he got more excited.
“He seems to be better at making important finds than me! Having said that, there have been plenty of times when he’s come back with nothing. I always tell him to keep at it – and he got his reward.”
George, whose find has been designated as of ‘Regional Importance’ on the PAS (Portable Antiquities Scheme) database, said: “I’m happy I discovered it.”
Butley Priory was founded in 1171 by Ranulf de Glanville, sheriff of Lancashire, and remained in use until 1538 as a religious base for priests. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, hence the Madonna figure on the seal which would have been pressed into wax to seal official correspondence. According to the PAS report, depictions of the Madonna and Child were popular at the time as the Virgin Mary was the subject of great devotion.
Renowned metal detectorist Adam Staples, a consultant valuer at Hansons Auctioneers, said: “This is an exceptional find for any metal detectorist to make but to discover something like this when you’re only 10 is astounding. George must have the Midas touch! I hope it will inspire him to keep metal detecting and unearthing more history.”
The priory seal matrix, lot 86, will be offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ March 24-25 Historica, Coins and Antiquities Auction at the firm’s Derbyshire saleroom. Catalogue: www.hansonslive.co.uk or www.the-saleroom.com. To find out more, email [email protected].
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE HISTORICA CATALOGUE
Picture credit: Link to Wikipedia image of the north front of the 14th-century gatehouse of Butley Priory: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butley_Priory#/media/File:Butley_Priory_Gatehouse.jpg
