13th Century, Signet Ring, With Motif & Heraldic Dragon Henry IIIrd & Simon de Montfort Period, Made And Used By a Noble, IInd Baron's War Era, at the Battle of Lewes in 1264. Recovered From a Dig at Offham Hill Near Lewes in the 1820's

Recovered from a dig at Offham Hill outside of Lewes in the 1820's .

A well-preserved Medieval cast bronze signet ring featuring a round hoop, and a pronounced oval bezel engraved with a symmetrical geometric motif. The sides of the hoop are enriched with a carved salamander dragon type creature, probably a noble family 'supporter' and other small geometric motifs. The ring displays an olive-green patina across the surface. UK size W. A very good and wearable size.

A Fabulous, Original, High Middle Ages, Museum Piece. A 13th Century signet ring from the Henry IIIrd and Simon de Montfort Period, Made And Used By a noble of The IInd Baron's War Era, the Battle of Lewes in 1264.

A wonderful example piece, from the ancient knightly age, of the IInd Baron’s War era between Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and King Henry IIIrd.

The battle site is still not completely agreed upon, but part of the conflict was recorded at Offham Hill, and this is was just 4 miles south of our farm, Thousands of the protagonists soldiers were supposedly camped within our grounds, but at present it is not certain for which side they fought. Our farm was originally part of Earl Godwin’s estate, later more famously known as King Harold, who also supposedly camped here on our land immediately before his disastrous Battle of Hastings in 1066 {actually fought inland in the town, that is now called Battle, and not at Hastings at all}. A Canadian funded documentary was filmed here recently.

The Battle of Lewes was one of two main battles of the conflict known as the Second Barons' War. It took place at Lewes in Sussex, on 14 May 1264. It marked the high point of the career of Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, and made him the "uncrowned King of England". Henry III left the safety of Lewes Castle and St. Pancras Priory to engage the Barons in battle and was initially successful, his son Prince Edward routing part of the baronial army with a cavalry charge. However Edward pursued his quarry off the battlefield and left Henry's men exposed. Henry was forced to launch an infantry attack up Offham Hill where he was defeated by the barons' men defending the hilltop. The royalists fled back to the castle and priory and the King was forced to sign the Mise of Lewes, ceding many of his powers to Montfort. After a rule of just over a year, Montfort was killed by forces loyal to the King in the Battle of Evesham.

Code: 26400