500-year-old gold pendant made for Henry VIII’s daughter’s marriage to sell for £3.5m after find by metal detectorist
A magnificent gold necklace linked to Henry VIII’s marriage to Katharine of Aragon may be salvaged for the nation, but at a high cost.
The artifact, marked with the letters ‘H’ and ‘K’, was found in 2019 by a Birmingham cafe owner who had only been using his metal detector for six months.
Detector Charlie Clarke will 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 is today launching a bid to save the ‘Tudor Heart’ with the help of funding from the public.
According to the research conducted by museum experts, the 24-carat gold artifact dates back to VIII. It may have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to celebrate the engagement of Princess Mary, daughter of Henry and Katharine, to the French heir.
Henry regularly commissioned London jewelers to produce costume jewelery for major celebrations and official events.
They were worn by members of the court for short periods of time to create the impression of great grandeur.
The pendant combines a Tudor rose with Katherine’s pomegranate symbol and features a banner reading ‘tousiors’, the Old French word for ‘always’.
A magnificent gold necklace linked to Henry VIII’s marriage to Katharine of Aragon may be salvaged for the nation, but at a high cost. The incredible work was found by a cafe owner from Birmingham in 2019.
According to the research conducted by museum experts, the 24-carat gold artifact dates back to VIII. It may have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to celebrate the engagement of Princess Mary, daughter of Henry and Katharine, to the French heir.
The necklace was reported under the Treasure Act 1996 after it was found at the Warwickshire site.
By law, any object declared treasure becomes the property of the Crown and is kept safe for museums or galleries in the UK to purchase.
The proceeds of the purchase are usually shared with the finder and the landowner. Mr Clarke could therefore be awarded a windfall of £1.75 million.
Speaking about his discovery in 2023, Mr Clarke told The Guardian: ‘I had found a few coins before, nothing special. But I knew it was gold.
‘When you see that color, that’s why you’re there as a metal detector.’
She said her ‘once in 30 lifetimes’ find made her scream ‘like a little schoolgirl’.
Ironically, the necklace is currently held for safekeeping by the British Museum itself.
It will be on display starting this week for the remainder of the fundraising campaign.
The museum must raise the money by April 2026. The museum has already received a grant of £500,000 from the Julia Rausing Trust.
Mr Clarke (left) looks at the necklace with Conservative Arts Minister Lord Parkinson at the British Museum, January 2023
Henry VIII was married to Katharine of Aragon for 24 years. She left him for Anne Boleyn
The museum today launches a bid to save the ‘Tudor Heart’ with the help of the public
The necklace was reported under the Treasure Act 1996 after it was found at the Warwickshire site.
If he cannot raise the money, the necklace can be purchased by a private collector.
Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: ‘The Tudor Heart is perhaps one of the most incredible pieces of British history ever unearthed.
‘Support will ensure that this unique and beautiful treasure is secured for the nation, so that it can be enjoyed and inspired by future generations.’
Simon Fourmy, chief executive of the Julia Rausing Trust, said: ‘We are delighted to support the British Museum’s acquisition of the Tudor Heart for the country.
‘This extraordinary pendant sheds light on a defining royal marriage and enriches our understanding of the Tudor world.
‘We hope that others will be as inspired as we are by this remarkable object and will donate generously to ensure this treasure remains visible for many years to come.’
Ironically, the necklace is currently held for safekeeping by the British Museum itself.
The museum must raise the money by April 2026. The museum has already received a grant of £500,000 from the Julia Rausing Trust.
A public campaign for donations has been launched and the object will be exhibited twice in the museum’s gallery until April 2026.
Henry married Katherine in 1509 and the couple remained married for 24 years.
However, Katharine fell out of favor with the King because she could not give birth to a male heir.
They had six children but only the future Queen Mary survived.
Henry then turned his affections to Katharine’s lady-in-waiting, Anne Boleyn.
He caused a schism with the Catholic Church in Rome when he had his first marriage annulled so he could marry Anne.
During their three-year union, Anne gave birth to daughter Elizabeth, but also failed to produce a male heir. He was beheaded after being accused of treason.
Henry would have four more wives.
