Medieval Ring Discovered in Gosberton Field Joins Historic Collection
The Spalding Gentlemen's Society, renowned as Britain's oldest provincial learned society and the UK's second-oldest surviving museum, has proudly acquired a stunning medieval ring unearthed in a Gosberton field. This remarkable find adds to the society's nationally significant collections, showcasing the rich historical heritage of Lincolnshire.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Discovery for Metal Detectorists
In July 2025, Dave and Dawn Stoneman, members of the group Digging History UK, were metal detecting when their equipment signaled a potential treasure. After removing a few spadefuls of soil, they uncovered a large, solid clump containing the hidden ring. The couple, who had only begun metal detecting about a year prior, were elated by this extraordinary discovery.
The treasure has been identified as a 15th-century silver gilt rectangular bi-panelled bezel type ring. The bezel features a foliate motif composed of leaf-shaped elements in a repeating design. Unlike contemporary iconographic rings that often display religious imagery, this piece showcases simple geometric and floral decoration, making it a unique artifact.
Joining a Prestigious Collection
Eleanor Chadd, collections and facilities officer at the Spalding Gentlemen's Society, expressed delight at acquiring this incredible artefact. "We've been delighted to acquire this incredible artefact," she said. "It's a really interesting piece that was discovered in a local Lincolnshire field."
Chadd also highlighted that the society already possesses another 15th-century gold iconographic ring, found by a donor while digging in her garden in Pennygate, Spalding, approximately 50 years before it was donated in 2014. "We plan to put them on display together for the public to see," she added, emphasizing the educational value of these historical items.
Future Display Plans
The ring is set to be displayed in the Spalding Gentlemen's Society's museum on Broad Street, which is scheduled to reopen in spring 2027. Currently, the museum is closed for building works, with exhibitions being held at Ayscoughfee Hall Museum throughout the year. This acquisition underscores the society's ongoing commitment to preserving and showcasing Lincolnshire's historical treasures.
The Spalding Gentlemen's Society continues to play a vital role in cultural preservation, and this new addition will undoubtedly attract visitors and historians alike when it goes on public display.
