Posie ring

They were popular during the 15th through the 17th centuries in both England and France as lovers' gifts.

The language used in many early posy rings was Norman French, with French, Latin and English used in later times.

The quotations were often from contemporary courtship stories or chapbooks and usually inscribed on the inner surface of the ring.

[2] The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, England, has an outstanding collection.

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London also has a good collection bequeathed by Joan Evans.