Rare Henry VIII treasure found by metal detector could sell for £3.5m | Royal | News
VIII. A gold necklace linked to Henry’s marriage could sell for £3.5 million after it was found in 2019. Necklace marked with the letters ‘H’ and ‘K’, VIII. It links to Henry’s marriage to Katharine of Aragon, which ended in divorce because she could not provide him with a male heir.
It is believed that the necklace may have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to celebrate the engagement of their daughter, Princess Mary, to the French heiress. The necklace was found by a café owner in Birmingham named Charlie Clarke.
The necklace, believed to be 24 carat gold, features Katherine’s Tudor rose with a pomegranate symbol. There is also a banner reading ‘tousiors’, which means ‘always’ in Old French.
According to The Daily Mail, The necklace was found in a field in Warwickshire and was reported under the Treasure Act 1996.
As it was owned by the Crown, it was kept safe by the British Museum until the museum could afford to purchase it.
The museum has launched a bid to save the “Tudor Heart”, believed to be imitation jewelery commissioned by London jewelers for King Henry VIII for major celebrations. This is believed to be something he did regularly, according to research by experts at the museum.
A metal detectorist could become a millionaire if the British Museum’s campaign to raise £3.5 million to buy the necklace at market value is successful.
The museum must raise this money by April 2026 and has already received a £500,000 grant from the Julia Rausing Trust.
While the donation campaign continues, the pendant exhibited in the museum will be offered for purchase by a private collector if the museum cannot raise money.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: “The Tudor Heart is perhaps one of the most incredible pieces of British history ever unearthed. The support will ensure this unique and beautiful treasure is secured for the nation so it can be enjoyed and inspired by future generations.”
Speaking about his discovery in 2023, Mr Clarke told The Guardian it was a “once in 30 lifetimes” discovery.
