Falconry: a rare early 17th century silver hawking vervel, the ring with soldered shield bearing the family crest of Hansard, the hoop inscribed SR. W

Falconry: a rare early 17th century silver hawking vervel, the ring with soldered shield bearing the family crest of Hansard, the hoop inscribed SR. WIL. HANSARD, diameter 10.57mm., weight 1.28gr. A hawking ring or ferrul was known as a ''vervel'' and was engraved with the name of the falconer. It would have been attached to one of the ''jesses'', the short straps of leather or silk placed round the hawk' legs in the practice of falconry. This rare survival was found in a farmer's field in 2004 by a metal detector enthusiast from Cleethorpes. It was duly declared to the farmer and to the Scunthorpe Museum, who in turn, sent it to the British Museum. It has since been classed as Treasure Trove and returned, with the farmer's permission, to the finder. The family of Hansard was for many generations settled at South Kelsey in Lincolnshire, and in several other local parishes persons bearing the name are to be found. Sir William Hansard lived at Biscathorpe and was a benefactor of Caistor Grammar School. He died in 1631 and was buried at Langton-by-Parney (now known as Langton-by-Spilsby) where his eldest daughter Rachel lived. The auctioneer would like to thank Dr. Dora Thompson, Curator of Renaissance Collections at the British Museum, for use of her research material in relation to the cataloguing of this lot. A file of paperwork relating to the find and subsequent processes, including the Treasure Report, is offered in the lot.