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Monday, 3rd November 2008 (1900 views)

A metal detector enthusiast claims to have discovered a 23-c to 24-c gold ring belonging to royalty in a field near Petersfield.

According to the Portsmouth News, Mr Beasley believes that the heavy ring belonged to Robert, the eldest son of William the Conquerer, as it has his name engraved on it.

Robert, who landed in Portsmouth in 1101, attempted to take the English throne and the amateur historian claims that the ring dates back 900 years and should be on display in a national collection.

However, the British Museum has disputed his account and states that it does not think the ring is Norman, while museum experts in Oxford and Gloucester believe it to be genuine.

Former bricklayer Mr Beasley from Waterlooville, Hampshire, has been searching for archaeological finds in the area for more than 30 years and claims to have discovered ancient objects including Roman gold coins, medieval gold rings and weapons.

 

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