By Chris Brooke
When metal detectorist Paul Ibbotson found a bejewelled gold ring is farmer's field he knew it was special.
But when he researched it he became convinced it may have belonged to two of Henry VIII's wives and was
last worn by Catherine Howard months before she was beheaded.
His fanciful story will intrigue visitors to a museum in York when the 15th-century ring-valued at £20,000 - goes
on display later this year,
But experts, while describing the gold ring with ruby and emerald as an 'incredible treasure', say its provenance
cannot be proved.
Me Ibbotson, 52, from Blackpool, found it in a field at Fulford, near York in December 2016.
It was officially declared treasure and he and the landowner recieved £10,000 each.
Now, after more than two years of research, Mr Ibbotson believes it could be the ring on the index finger of
Anne of Cleeves in Han Holbein's 1539 portrait.
