Description

Summary: A slightly squashed silver hawking ring or vervel, dating to the early 17th century. The object is composed of a small circular ring, roughly d-shaped in section, with a heraldic shield affixed to the outer face. The shield shows a two-legged and winged creature, probably a wyvern, standing left with the body covered with scales. Faint lines radiate upwards from what appears to be the animal's mouth. Vervels were used in falconry and were attached to the bird's jesses (leather thongs) and served as a means of identification. The depiction on the shield appears to match that of the heraldic crest of William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke (b.1580 - d.1630), whose seat was at Wilton House, Salisbury. The vervel was found in Collingbourne Kingston in 2016.