A silver 15th century disc, called a vervel, has been confirmed as treasure following an inquest at Dunstable....
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Fascinating treasure is found in Eaton Bray

Posted on November 25, 2009

This article was published in November 2009. Please see Latest News for more recent information.

Fascinating treasure is found in Eaton BrayA silver 15th century disc, called a vervel, has been confirmed as treasure following an inquest at Dunstable Coroner's Court.

The solid circular disc, discovered in Eaton Bray, has the name Edward inscribed among foliage on one side.

It was used to connect leather jesses attached to a hawk's legs to the bird's block when grounded.

And according to comments from the British Museum, the inscription could relate to Edward Prince or Prince Edward, the son of Henry VI, or the son of Edward IV, who later became Edward V.

Finder Mr Wilde discovered the piece in an area belonging to landowner Mr French in 2007.

But it was not until a few years later that Mr Wilde realised it could be more than 300 years old.

The inquest heard how Mr Wilde took it to Birmingham City Council, which then gave it to the British Museum for inspection by specialists.

As the piece is made of a minimum of 10 per cent precious metal, this means that it qualifies as treasure under the Treasure Act 1996.

Coroner David Morris said that he would register the vervel as treasure with the British Museum.

Read the rest of this article on Dunstable Today.


For the latest news from Eaton Bray and beyond, get the Dunstable Gazette every Wednesday and make a daily date with Dunstable Today.

Source: Dunstable Today

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