MEDIEVAL jewellery found by a metal detectorist in an Eden Valley field has been declared to be ‘treasure’.

An inquest in Kendal heard that a medieval silver brooch and gold ring were found by Richard Hunter on land owned by Peter Robinson, on February 22.

Cumbria’s assistant coroner Robert Chapman said that a British Museum report described the highly decorated brooch as being in good condition and typical of the medieval period, dating between the 13th and 14th century.

The gold ring was also described as a medieval object that would have been popular in the 13th century but could also date back to 1150AD. The ring is described in the report as a complete gold stirrup, with a green gem but it had been fairly damaged during its time in the ground and was covered in scratches.

Under the Treasure Act of 1996, for an item to be treasure it must contain at least ten per cent of precious metal. Mr Chapman declared both items to be treasure based on the reports from the British Museum described the items to have had at least ten per cent of precious metal.

According to the Treasure Act the items belong to the state and it will be put up for offer to a number of museums. The money raised will then be divided between Mr Robinson and Mr Hunter.