This Heart-shaped Pendant Associated With Henry VIII And Katherine Of Aragon Was Discovered By A Metal-detectorist

This heart-shaped pendant associated with Henry VIII and Katherine of Aragon was discovered by a metal-detectorist in Warwickshire and now is being unveiled to the public by the British Museum:

“The gold, heart-shaped pendant is attached to a 75-link gold chain via an enamelled ‘hand’.

The front of the pendant is decorated with a red and white Tudor rose motif entwined with a pomegranate bush, the symbols of Henry and Katherine. These stem from the same branch, which at its base has a tail, and sits above the inscription + TOVS + IORS - a pun on the French for ‘always’.  

The back shows the letters H and K - for Henry and Katherine - in Lombardic script, linked by ribbon, again with the legend + TOVS + IORS.

Analysis dates the pendant as early 16th century, from 1509 – 1533 AD with a most likely date of around 1521.

It appears that the pendant was produced rapidly; it may have been used as a prize or worn by people participating in an event. The design of the pendant is like that used on horse bards at a joust in Greenwich in 1521.

It is being showcased by the British Museum to highlight the launch of two annual reports – the Treasure Annual Report for 2020 and the Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) Annual Report for 2021.”

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