Middleham Ring

WESTERN/MINOR ARTS:METALWORK/ENGLAND; found at Middleham, North Yorkshire; (medieval; art market; gold; Christie's International, Sept. 1991, inside cover; BRILLIANT GIFT; JAN 06 1993; The Middleham Ring; In early September 1990 an extremely rare and important Medieval gold ring, of previously unrecorded type, was excavated at Middleham in North Yorkshire. The ring was found on the site of what probably the former East Park of Middleham which belonged to the Neville family until 1471. Ralph Neville, the first Earl of Westmorland and Lord of Middleham until his death in 1425, helped Henry IV usurp the throne and proved a loyal servant to both Henry V and Henry VI. The ring is extremely rare, being the only known example decorated with the letter 'S' as found in the famous 'collars of SS', thus linking it with the insignia used by the House of Lancaster (Henry IV-VI). The adoption of the 'S' motif seems to date from John of Gaunt's time (d. 1399) but appears most frequently during the reign of the Lancastrian kings, being later revived for the Tudor collars of Henry VII and Henry VIII. The precise interpretation of the letter 'S' is not konwn, but it appears as decoration on collars inscribed 'Soverain' and "Soveigne vous de moy', and it is possibly associated with John of Gaunt who was 'Seneschallus' or High Steward of England. The inscription 'Sovereynly' can be interpreted as meaning ''in a lordly manner' or in a 'supreme manner' and it is likely that this grand ring would have belonged to one of the more aristocratic members of the royal court of the HOuse of Lancaster during the 15th Century.; To be included in Christie's Jewellery, Antique Jewels and Rings sale on Wednesday 2, October 191, Estimate: £30,000 - £50,000 (The antique jewels and rings section of sale is to be an afternoon session starting at 2pm)