Found in a Field, Fit for a King: The Battle to Save Henry VIII’s Jewel

The British Museum is racing to raise £3.5 million ($4.5M) to acquire the Tudor Heart, an extraordinary 24-karat gold pendant discovered in a Warwickshire field in 2019 and believed to be the only surviving piece of jewelry from the reign of King Henry VIII.

The intricate design, featuring the Tudor rose and Katherine of Aragon’s pomegranate emblem, links it to the royal couple’s early marriage. Experts believe the pendant was commissioned around 1518 for a court tournament celebrating a peace treaty with France.

Beyond its craftsmanship, the jewel offers a rare glimpse into Henry and Katherine’s long but tragic union — one largely erased after their annulment and the English Reformation.

The British Museum hopes to preserve this “window into Tudor love and power” for the nation.

If the funds are not raised, the treasure could be auctioned to private collectors, potentially leaving the UK permanently.