Royal treasure at museum

8:50am Friday 17th August 2007

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A royal treasure has gone on display at the Wiltshire Heritage Museum in Devizes.

A gold link from a medieval necklace was bought by the museum after it was found by local metal detectorist Brian Read at Urchfont last year.

An inquest declared it was treasure and the museum bought the link with grants from the Victoria and Albert Museum and The Headley Trust.

Museum curator Paul Robinson said the link would have been made by a leading goldsmith of the day, commissioned by one of the English kings between 1350 and 1500.

The link is in the form of two letter Ss and Mr Robinson said its small size and delicacy suggested that it was worn by a woman.

The link is on display with other items with a royal connection.

They include a ring owned by Charles I and Charles II, an enamelled locket which was presented by James II to the Catholic priest John Massey shortly before he fled into exile, and the rare gold medal awarded by Frederick William IV, King of Prussia, to the Wiltshire born historian John Brittain.