Coroner tells pair to resolve squabble

Jan 31 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

TWO metal detector enthusiasts from County Durham were told yesterday to resolve a squabble over a medieval silver seal found in a field.

Experts are thought to have valued the seal, which depicts the murder of Thomas Becket, at more than £10,000.

The piece was discovered near Catterick in North Yorkshire by treasure hunter Carl Richardson. But fellow enthusiast Richard Hunter insisted he was with Mr Richardson at the time and they had previously made a “gentlemen’s agreement” to share the rewards of their labours.

The oval silver seal matrix, dating from the 13th or 14th Century and in excellent condition, is being looked after by the British Museum in London.

It depicts Thomas Becket and three knights, one of whom is holding a sword above his head. Becket was made Archbishop of Canterbury in 1162 and conflicted with King Henry II over the rights of the Church. He was assassinated by followers of the king in 1170 and venerated as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church.

The seal was found in a field owned by John Wray, who had given Mr Richardson permission to search the land.

Mr Wray appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court with Mr Hunter yesterday for a treasure trove inquest to determine who was entitled to the money.

Mr Hunter, from Peterlee, told coroner Geoff Fell he had met Mr Richardson a few weeks before the seal was found and they had been on a few outings together. He said: “We had a gentlemen’s agreement. We shook hands and said ‘let’s go out and find some treasure’. Whatever we found we would go halves with the farmer and we would split everything else.”

But Mr Richardson, from Coxhoe in County Durham, denied Mr Hunter had been with him in October 2006 when he uncovered the seal. In a statement, he said Mr Hunter had seen the seal for the first time three weeks later.

Mr Fell said the case would be referred to the valuation panel of the British Museum and said the two men should aim to resolve their differences. “It’s not up to me to decide ownership,” he said. “If you cannot come to an agreement, then lawyers may have to be involved and that will be costly.”