Rare treasure linked to Henry VIII found by metal detectorist could fetch £3.5m

A gold pendant linked to Henry VIII's marriage could be sold for £3.5 million after being found in 2019. The pendant, which is marked with the letters 'H' and 'K', links to Henry VIII's marriage to Katharine of Aragon which ended in divorce when she failed to provide him with a male heir.

It is believed the pendant could have been created for a tournament held in October 1518 to mark the engagement of their daughter Princess Mary to the French heir apparent. The pendant was found by a cafe owner in Birmingham called Charlie Clarke.

The pendant, which is believed to be 24 carat gold, shows the Tudor rose with Katherine's pomegranate symbol. It also features a banner that reads 'tousiors', which is the old French word for 'always'.

As reported by The Daily Mail, the pendant was found in a field in a Warwickshire field and was reported under the Treasure Act 1996.

As it is property of the Crown, it has been kept safe by the British Museum until the museum can afford to buy it.

The museum has launched a bid to save the "Tudor Heart", which is believed to have been a costume jewellery item commissioned by London goldsmiths for King Henry VIII for major celebrations. It is believed this is something he did regularly, according to research by experts at the museum.

If the British Museum's campaign to raise £3.5million to buy the pendant at market value is successful, the metal detectorist could become a millionaire.

The Museum needs to raise this money by April 2026 and has already received a £500,000 donation from the Julia Rausing Trust.

The pendant, which has been put on display in the museum while a campaign for donations is underway, will be available for a private collector to purchase if the museum cannot raise the money.

Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum, said: "The Tudor Heart is perhaps one of the most incredible pieces of English history to have ever been unearthed. Support will ensure that this unique and beautiful treasure is secured for the nation, so that it can be enjoyed by and inspire generations to come."

Speaking about his discovery in 2023, Mr Clarke told The Guardian the discovery was his "once in 30 lifetimes" find.