A 16th-century gold ring, potentially tied to one of the most infamous conspiracies in British history, is set for auction this month. The artifact, found by metal detectorist Andrew Rose near Robert Catesby’s birthplace in Warwickshire, could be linked to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt to assassinate King James I and炸毁 the Houses of Parliament. Experts speculate the ring’s inscription and location suggest a possible connection to the plot’s conspirators, including Catesby, who was the mastermind behind the plan.
The ring, discovered six inches underground in Bushwood, features the inscription ‘Your Frende in Deede,’ believed to indicate loyalty. Rose, who found the ring near Bushwood Hall—the birthplace of Catesby and a former hideout for the conspirators—said the artifact’s proximity to the hall and its potential connection to Catesby’s network make it a significant find. The piece is expected to sell for up to £12,000 at auction on November 27, with auctioneer Charles Hanson noting that the area’s historical Catholic population at the time of the plot likely provided the conspirators with safe haven.
Hanson highlighted the strategic use of the region’s Catholic community, which offered the plotters protection against the king’s persecution. The ring’s discovery adds a tangible link to the secretive planning of the Gunpowder Plot, with its location and inscription hinting at its possible role in the conspiracy. The artifact’s value and historical significance underscore the enduring fascination with this pivotal moment in British history.