Wars of the Roses Artifacts Found in Harrogate

The Wars of the Roses played a significant role in shaping the history of England.

Updated: October 2025

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Remarkable Discovery in North Yorkshire
The Treasure’s Historical Context and Significance
The Wars of the Roses: A Real-Life Game of Thrones
Auction Results and Historical Preservation
References

The Remarkable Discovery in North Yorkshire

Believed to have been buried by a soldier during the War of the Roses, a gold ring and 21 coins were discovered in Harrogate in North Yorkshire. A father and his two sons uncovered the discovery using a metal detector in a stubble field during a lifting of lockdown restrictions in July 2020, when they were able to resume their hobby. [i]

Some of the 21 coins discovered that were buried during the Wars of the Roses

The trio consisted of father Jeff Warden, 65, and his two sons, Michael, 41, and Nick, 42. Jeff Warden first uncovered a silver hammered penny. Nick then found a further five coins including a silver groat (fourpence) of Edward IV’s reign, minted in Norwich. Jeff and Michael also recovered several coins and fragments, but it was Nick who ultimately found the medieval gold ring. [ii]

The gold ring, engraved with images of the Holy Trinity, sold at Noonan’s of Mayfair, London, for £6,500 (approximately $8,200) in September 2022. The collection of 21 coins, with an original face value of just two shillings and threepence, was auctioned separately with an estimated value of £260-£340. [iii]

The Treasure’s Historical Context and Significance

The Wars of the Roses were fought between the Yorkists and Lancastrians, lasting from 1455 until 1487. Of the coins recovered, the earliest date as far back as the 1460s reign of Edward IV, of the House of York. The newest coin is from 1471, following the deposition of Henry VI. [iv]

Researchers suggest that since “the coins are not particularly valuable [it] suggests they did not belong to a wealthy person.” It is possible that the gold ring was simply a lucky charm since it depicts the Holy Trinity. [v]

The golden ring Photo by Nick Warden BNPS

Nigel Mills, a specialist at Noonan’s, believes that the soldier buried the ring just as he prepared for battle. Mills suggests that the soldier likely died before he could return to retrieve his buried treasure.

“The coins appear to have been buried hastily – this was a decision by someone to bury the belongings they happened to be carrying at the time. It is likely that they were preparing for battle. The fact that the hoard was never recovered suggests that they were killed.” [vi]

It remains unclear which side of the war the soldier fought on, but experts think he was drafted further south before departing from northern England. Mills noted,

“It is impossible to say which side they would have fought for but one of the coins, the silver groat, was minted in Norwich. That suggests that they were drafted further south before travelling north.” [vii]

The Wars of the Roses: A Real-Life Game of Thrones

The Wars of the Roses were civil wars “fought between the houses of Lancaster and York in a battle for the English throne.” The name is believed to be derived from “the badges of the different sides involved in the conflict, the white rose of York and the red rose of Lancaster.” [viii]

Image for battles of the Wars of the Roses where York was victorious. Photo by Sodacan/Wikimedia Commons

The popular TV series, Game of Thrones is based on George R.R. Martin’s ‘A Song of Fire and Ice’ series detailing “the political struggle between House Lannister and House Stark.” Complex motives and shifting loyalties can be traced back to the 1377 death of King Edward III. [ix]

Particularly, Edward III’s oldest son died before his father. As a result, Edward III’s 10-year-old grandson succeeded the throne ahead of the deceased’s three surviving sons. This action skipped an entire generation, resulting in several claims to the throne. In addition, both houses had a claim to the throne via descent from the sons of King Edward III, creating a complex web of royal lineage disputes that would eventually erupt into open warfare. [x]

Auction Results and Historical Preservation

The proceeds from the sale of both the ring and coins were split equally between the landowner and the Warden family, following standard treasure trove protocols. [xi]

Michael and Nick Warden have been metal detecting since they were six years old, and their mother Wendy has even joined in the hobby with the father and sons over the years, making it a true family passion. [xii]

The discovery represents one of the most unique War of the Roses finds in recent years, providing tangible evidence of the tumultuous period that inspired one of television’s most successful fantasy series. The combination of everyday coins with a potentially talismanic religious ring offers a rare glimpse into the personal possessions of an ordinary soldier caught up in one of England’s most significant conflicts.

References

[i] Ansar News, Archaeology breakthrough: Father and sons unearth real-life Game of Thrones treasure, (Sep. 14, 2022)

[ii] Id.

[iii] Id.

[iv] All News Press, Breakthrough in archaeology: father and sons dig up the “real” Game of Thrones Treasure, (Sep. 15, 2022)

[v] Id.

[vi] TED-Ed, The wars that inspired Game of Thrones – Alex Gendler, (May 11, 2015)

[vii] Express UK, Father and sons unearth ‘real life’ Game of Thrones treasure, (Sep. 14, 2022)

[viii] Harrogate Advertiser, Historic sale of War of the Roses-era treasure discovered in a Harrogate field by detectorists, (Sep. 21, 2022)

[ix] York Press, Gold ring from War of Roses discovered by detectorists in North Yorkshire, (2022)

[x] Express UK, Father and sons unearth ‘real life’ Game of Thrones treasure, (Sep. 14, 2022)

[xi] Harrogate Advertiser, Historic sale of War of the Roses-era treasure discovered in a Harrogate field by detectorists, (Sep. 21, 2022)

[xii] York Press, Gold ring from War of Roses discovered by detectorists in North Yorkshire, (2022)

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[Article Note: This piece was originally published on NewsBreak and has been archived and transferred to DOPE Quick Reads to preserve its informational value. Original publication date: 2022-12-26]