"The gold pendant is engraved with a Tudor rose representing Henry VIII entwined with a pomegranate representing Katherine of Aragon decorated in red and white enamel. It features an H and a K on the reverse side, also enameled in red and white. A banner with the lettering + TOVS + IORS (the French toujours meaning always) is on both sides of the pendant."
"It was found with a thick gold link chain with a gold enamel gloved hand at one end functioning as a clasp. The total weight of the set is 317 grams of 24K gold. British Museum researchers believe it was commissioned to celebrate the betrothal of Henry and Katherine's daughter Princess Mary, then two years old, to Francis, Dauphin of France, then eight months old, in 1518."
"The betrothal was called off in 1521, and Henry rousted Katharine from his court in 1531, ultimately divorcing her in 1533 to marry Anne Boleyn. The Tudar Heart was discovered by a metal detectorist in Warwickshire on December 13th, 2019, a very fortunate Friday the 13th. It was reported to the Portable Antiquities Scheme and declared Treasure. A valuation committee assessed its market value at 3.5m."
The gold heart-shaped pendant is engraved with a Tudor rose representing Henry VIII entwined with a pomegranate representing Katherine of Aragon and decorated in red and white enamel. The reverse bears H and K initials and a banner reading + TOVS + IORS (French toujours, meaning always). The piece was found with a thick gold link chain and a gold enamel gloved-hand clasp, weighing 317 grams. Researchers date the commission to 1518 for the betrothal of Princess Mary to Francis, Dauphin of France, which was cancelled in 1521. The pendant was discovered by a metal detectorist in Warwickshire on 13 December 2019, declared Treasure, and valued at 3.5m. Fundraising appealed to the public and trusts to secure the piece, with funds to be split between the finder and the landowner.
Read at www.thehistoryblog.com
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