Ædwen's brooch

It was discovered in 1694 during the ploughing of a field in Sutton, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, along with a hoard including coins and gold rings.

The Anglo-Saxon brooch is decorated with nine conical silver bosses (one now missing) and an engraved pattern of four overlapping circles forming flower-like motifs.

In the circles are representations of different animals and plant ornaments reminiscent of the Ringerike style.

The inscription on the obverse side is a curse against those who would take the brooch from its rightful owner, Ædwen (Æduwen): A short film has been made that shows the curse spoken by Ædwen in Old English and modern English.

[1] In addition, on the strip which once held the pin and catchplate, is an inscription of seven pseudo-runic characters.