TREASURE has been found in a farmer’s field near Shincliffe.

At an inquest at Crook’s Civic Centre on Wednesday afternoon (September 23), coroner, Andrew Tweddle concluded that a 17th century ring unearthed at Manor Farm near Shincliffe satisfied all the requirements for it to be classified as treasure by the British Museum, London.

The gold ring, inscribed with the date 1673 and the name, Sir John Marley, was found by John Ward, of Edgecombe Drive, Darlington with his metal detector in early October last year.

Sir John Marley was a staunch Royalist and supporter of Charles I during the English Civil War. Twice mayor of Newcastle, he escaped abroad during the troubles only to return to England before the monarchy’s Restoration in 1660 to fight for the monarchist cause. He was re-made mayor of Newcastle a year later.

Mr Ward had pre-arranged the prospecting visit with the landowner, Richard Hopps, as part of his hobby with the Darlington-based Quakers’ Acres metal detecting club.

Mr Ward said: “After we found it, we saw the landowner and, because we thought it was older than 300-years-old, we realised we would have to declare it. I then rang the council and registered it as a find.”

Durham County Council’s Find Liaison Officer then forwarded the matter to the coroner’s office.

Mr Tweddle read out a statement from the British museum confirming that it was their opinion that the ring met the requirements regarding gold metal content and age to be classed as treasure.

The ring will now be forwarded to the British Museum for their consideration.