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Discovered in 2019 by an amateur metal detectorist in Warwickshire, the 24-carat Tudor gold pendant linked to the wedding of Henry VIII mobilized public donations, institutional support, and raised £3.5 million, allowing the historical artifact to be incorporated into the permanent collection of the British Museum
A metal detector used by an amateur led to the discovery of a 16th-century Tudor pendant in Warwickshire, England, which was subsequently acquired by the British Museum after a campaign that raised £3.5 million to preserve and publicly display the historical piece.
Discovery with Metal Detector Revealed Jewel Linked to the Tudor Royal Wedding
The artifact known as the Tudor Heart was found in 2019 by amateur detectorist Charlie Clarke, a café owner, who had been using a metal detector for only six months when he located the object in a field in the county of Warwickshire.
According to Clarke, the discovery represented an extremely rare event. He described the find as something that happens not just once in a lifetime, but possibly once every few decades of searching.
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The pendant is made of 24-carat gold and dates to the early 16th century. Historians concluded, after extensive analyses, that the piece was likely produced during the marriage between Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon, a union that lasted from 1509 to 1533.
Initially, experts expressed doubts about the authenticity of the object. Subsequent evaluations confirmed its historical significance and its likely direct connection to the period of the royal marriage.
Characteristics of the Tudor Heart and Preserved Historical Symbolism
The pendant is heart-shaped and is accompanied by a gold chain consisting of 75 links, along with a hand-shaped clasp. The piece features symbols associated with the Tudor dynasty and Queen Catherine of Aragon.
Among the decorative elements are a red and white Tudor rose, a pomegranate bush, and the initials “H” and “K,” representing Henry and Catherine. A gold ribbon bears the inscription “tousiors,” an ancient French term meaning “always.”
According to the director of the British Museum, Nicholas Cullinan, the inscription takes on new meaning by becoming part of a public collection meant for historical preservation for future generations.
Before the discovery made with the metal detector, jewelry of this kind were known only through written records and artistic representations of the time, including portraits produced by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger.
Public Campaign Raised Millions to Secure Acquisition of the Artifact
British law allows museums to have priority in acquiring treasures deemed of historical importance ahead of any potential public auction. Based on this rule, the British Museum set a goal of £3.5 million to acquire the pendant.
Half of the amount would go to the discoverer of the object, while the other half would go to the owner of the land where the artifact was located by the metal detector.
After receiving an initial donation of £500,000 from the Julia Rausing Trust, the museum launched a public campaign to raise the remaining funds by Valentine’s Day.
The initiative received support from actor Damian Lewis, known for playing Henry VIII in the television series “Wolf Hall,” who participated in promoting the campaign to expand its fundraising reach.
Public Participation and Institutional Support Ensured National Preservation
More than 45,000 people contributed to the campaign, raising £360,000. The remaining funds were obtained through institutional donations, including £400,000 from the Art Fund and £300,000 from the American Friends of the British Museum.
According to Damian Lewis, the Tudor Heart offers a new perspective on the court of Henry VIII and helps keep a relevant part of English history accessible to the public.
Rachel King, curator of Renaissance Europe at the British Museum, stated that the artifact represents the first surviving example of this type of chain outside of historical portraits.
The pendant is currently on display at the British Museum and is expected to participate in a future national tour, allowing broader public access in different regions of England.
The discovery made with the metal detector established the object not only as a piece of cultural and sentimental value but also as important archaeological evidence related to the Tudor period.
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