Medieval silver finger ring, very much distorted, from Willow Farm, Owslebury, Hampshire. Dates to the 13th century. Inscribed with the letters "+AVE MARIA GRATIA PLEN" translating as "Hail Mary full of Grace".
Silver finger ring
Medieval, 13th century AD
Found with a metal detector at Owslebury, Hampshire in 2004
Now very much distorted, this ring is inscribed with the letters "+AVE MARIA GRATIA PLEN" translating as "Hail Mary full of Grace". This prayer is today an important part of the Roman Catholic rosary, and developed from the scriptural greetings of the Angel Gabriel and St. Elizabeth to Mary in Luke's Gospel.