Cockeram Ring

Richard McCaie unearthed this ring some 15 years ago. However, it was not a detecting find. Richard found it while planting a Caenothus bush in the garden of his Grade II listed 16th century farmhouse at a depth of 10 inches. Richard said “I was very excited when I dug up the ring. We were amazed when Noonans told us the value and we are planning to use the proceeds from the sale to help our children“

The ring was recorded at the PAS as DEV-85B7D4 and subsequently disclaimed as Treasure.

The arms on the ring are those of the Cockeram or Cokerham family of Devon and Herefordshire. The initials HC on the reverse suggest that it belonged to Humphrey Cockeram of Cullompton. Nigel Mills, artefacts and antiquities consultant at auction house Noonans, said “Humphrey was recorded as the head of the family in 1620 and lived at Hillersdon Manor in the early 17th century which is 42 miles east of where it was found. The family were great patrons of the church, and their name comes from old English ‘Coccan’ meaning dweller by the stream“