Skip to main content Accessibility statement

We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience.

By clicking the Accept button, you agree to us doing so. More info on our cookie policy.

Histories of Northamptonshire
View in timeline

Brigstock Jewel

Medieval 1450 Medieval to Tudor

Mid-15th century jewelled brooch or hat pin found in Brigstock, within the medieval Rockingham Forest which covered large areas of Northamptonshire.

Gold and precious stone jewelled brooch or hat pin dating to mid-15th century © Victoria and Albert Museum
Gold and precious stone jewelled brooch or hat pin dating to mid-15th century

The Brigstock Jewel dates from 1400 to 1450. It is speculated that it was lost by a member of the nobility or even by royalty while out hunting. It was found by metal detectorists in June 2017 on farmland near Brigstock, which was once a medieval deer park within the royal hunting forest of Rockingham.

The jewel consists of a spinel or Balas ruby set in gold with two diamonds. A third diamond has been lost. Each diamond is surrounded by curled gold petals, which have been enamelled in white. Spinels from Asia, often indistinguishable from true rubies, feature on royal regalia and the Imperial State crown of the UK features a large spinel known as the Black Prince’s ruby. In medieval times each precious stone was given a meaning. Diamonds and red jewels were linked to strength.

Such a valuable jewel of exquisite workmanship would only have belonged to nobility or even royalty. The date of around 1450 fits the period when the young King Edward IV and Richard III may have hunted in this area, based at their family home in nearby Fotheringhay. Surviving paintings of them show a similar jewel in their hats. The Brigstock Jewel is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Number 44 of the objects selected for the A History of Northamptonshire in 100 Objects exhibition 2025.

Main Image: © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Brigstock
Contributed by Rockingham Forest Vision

Explore related content (external site)

See our disclaimer

Previous object
Next object

Related objects

  • Discarded (partially worked) antler chess pieces © NMAG
    Medieval to Tudor

    Bishop and Queen Chess Pieces

    These two discarded 12th century antler chess pieces were made in a workshop and are evidence of Northampton as a bustling medieval centre.

  • Roman lucet from Orton Waterville (formerly part of Northamptonshire and Soke of Peterborough) © Peterborough Museum
    Roman and Early Medieval

    Roman Lucet

    A lucet was used to make braids and cords. Found at a Roman military site this is the earliest example found in Britain or Europe.

  • Gold and enamelled figure depicting King Henry VI as a saint © The Trustees of the British Museum
    Medieval to Tudor

    King Henry VI Gold Figurine

    Gold figurine depicting Henry VI as a saint which was possibly originally fixed to a larger vpprestigious object such as a crown.

  • Large piece of decorative stone with carved Anglo-Scandinavian interlace art style © NMAG
    Roman and Early Medieval

    Anglo-Saxon Stone

    Carved with typically Anglo-Scandinavian interlace, this stone was found reused in the Norman church of St Peters and may indicate an earlier 10th century church.