In the serene fields near Loch Lomond, Scotland, a glimmer of gold broke through the dark earth, unearthing a story of injustice buried for nearly four centuries. In 2017, Michelle Vall, a schoolteacher from Blackpool, Lancashire, made an extraordinary discovery while metal detecting on vacation with her husband. What began as a peaceful hobby to ease her panic attacks turned into a historic find: a 350-year-old gold signet ring tied to a tragic tale of betrayal and martyrdom.
Michelle, a dedicated educator, was scanning a field with no prior record of archaeological significance when her metal detector buzzed with promise. Six inches beneath the soil, she uncovered a radiant gold ring, its bright yellow hue gleaming against the muddy backdrop. “I knew straight away it was something special,” Michelle shared with the Catholic Universe, her excitement so overwhelming that she broke into a spontaneous dance. The ring, bearing the crest of the Colman family, was no ordinary trinket—it was a relic of a turbulent era.
The ring is believed to have belonged to Edward Colman, a prominent figure in the court of King Charles II during the 17th century. Born into a landed family in Norfolk, England, Colman was a trusted courtier and a close confidant of Charles II’s brother, the future King James II. His conversion to Roman Catholicism, however, placed him in a precarious position during a time of deep religious division in England.
Charles II, restored to the throne in 1661 after a decade in exile, ruled over a nation wary of Catholic influence. His court, known for its opulence, was a hotbed of political intrigue. In 1678, a fabricated conspiracy known as the Popish Plot swept through England, falsely accusing Catholics of plotting to assassinate the king. The plot, concocted by the notorious Titus Oates, sparked a wave of anti-Catholic hysteria, ensnaring innocent lives—including Edward Colman’s.
Accused of treason, Colman was arrested and subjected to a gruesome execution: he was hanged, drawn, and quartered in London. Despite his innocence, he became one of 22 victims of this fictitious scheme. The Roman Catholic Church later recognized his martyrdom, beatifying him in 1929 under Pope Pius XI. The Popish Plot was eventually exposed as a sham, and Oates faced imprisonment and public whipping, but for Colman and others, justice came too late.
Following her discovery, Michelle and her husband promptly reported the find to the authorities, as required by law. The National Museum of Scotland examined the ring, confirming its age and historical significance. Declared a “treasure trove,” the ring was offered to museums, but when none claimed it, the artifact was returned to Michelle under the principle of “finders keepers”—a rare outcome for such a significant piece.
Now, this remarkable 17th-century signet ring, valued at £10,000 ($12,000) by the Dix Noonan Webb Auction House in London, is set to be auctioned, with the proceeds going to Michelle. Nigel Mills, an expert at the auction house, praised the ring’s condition, noting, “The Colman seal ring is an excellent example of a high-status ring of the period, with only a very limited number surviving in this condition.”
Michelle Vall’s discovery is more than a stroke of luck; it’s a window into a dark chapter of history. The ring, once worn by a man unjustly condemned, shines a light on the perils of prejudice and the enduring quest for truth. As it heads to auction, this golden relic carries with it the weight of Edward Colman’s story—a poignant reminder that even centuries later, the past can rise from the earth to demand remembrance.