Rare Henry VIII pendant saved as British Museum raises £3.5 mln

The British Museum has raised £3.5 million to secure a rare gold pendant linked to Henry VIII for the public collection.

According to The Independent, the so-called “Heart of the Tudors” pendant was discovered in a field in Warwickshire using a metal detector. It is considered the only known surviving piece of jewellery from Henry VIII’s 24-year marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

The pendant features the Tudor rose, a red emblem associated with Catherine, and an inscription in Old French meaning “forever.”

Museum director Nicholas Cullinan highlighted the artefact’s historical importance, calling it a rare insight into Tudor England.

A public fundraising campaign was launched in October 2025, attracting thousands of supporters, including actor Damian Lewis, who portrayed Henry VIII in the television series Wolf Hall.

The museum believes the pendant may have been created for a 1518 tournament and symbolised the king’s loyalty to his wife.