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Tamworth Herald A MEDIAEVAL 'silver link' dating back 600 years has been discovered by a treasure hunter near Tamworth, a treasure trove inquest heard this week. 
The precious artefact, said to be 15th Century and silver gilt, was found at an undisclosed location in Harlaston back in August.And because of its antiquity and precious nature it was officially declared as treasure on Monday. Tom Brindle, archeological finds liaison officer at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, said the artefact was shaped like the letter 'S' and could have been part of a mediaeval chain, with loops to its left and right. It was dated, based on 'stylistic grounds' and based on its appearance and weight was said to be more than 10 per cent precious metal. Part of the 'S' shape has broken off. Mr Bridle said the item was of a design typical of a Lancastrian Dynasty, a branch of the Plantagenet dynasty, which ruled England from 1399 to 1461 under Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. Coroner Andrew Haigh said: "It dates from the 15th Century and there's no doubt it is more than 300 years old. "The expert has determined it is more than 10 per cent precious metal based on size and weight. "The item does meet the requirement for treasure and I will declare it as such." He added: "The British Museum will now carry out a valuation of the item to see whether it can be purchased by interested institutions." The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, in Stoke-on-Trent, has expressed an interest in obtaining the item for display. The treasure finder and landowner were not present at the hearing. The silver link was found ten miles from the recently discovered Staffordshire Hoard, a collection of 1,800 mainly gold and some silver Anglo-Saxon artifacts, found in a farmer's field in Hammerwich by metal detectorist Terry Herbert.
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