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Rings from the Earliest Period: Ethelwulf

Anglo-Saxon period which have been discovered would not discredit the workmanship of a modern artificer. One of the most interesting relics of enamelled art which is exhibited in the medal room of the British Museum is the gold ring of Ethelwulf, King of Wessex (A.D. 837-857), the father of Alfred the Great. It was found in the parish of Laverstock, Hampshire, in a cart-rut, where it had become much crushed and defaced. HELHELVY Its weight is 11 dwts. 14 grains.

This ring was presented to the British Museum by Lord Radnor, in 1829. Ethelwulf became later in life monk at Winchester, where he had been educated, and he died there. No Ring of Ethelwulf. a reasonable ground can be alleged for doubting the authenticity of this ring. 1 M. de Laborde, in his 'Notice des Émaux, &c., du Louvre,' considers the character of the design and ornament to be Saxon; and there is every reason to suppose it was the work of a Saxon artist.