A 17th century mourning ring which was found by a metal detectorist during a dig last year in the district has unearthed a fascinating past.

The solid gold ring, clearly marked with a skull etched in black enamel, is a memento mori, Latin for ‘remember death’, was made in memory of a seventeenth-century member of parliament.

It was found at Halloween last year in Linton by Skipton metal detectorist and historian Collin Binns who has since been researching the ring’s past and uncovering its strong local connections.

“It’s always particularly exciting when you can piece together the story behind something that you find especially when it relates to a notable individual you can trace through the archives,” he said.

“There’s no doubting that this was a memento mori ring - the skull is very striking - but there are also clear engravings inside the ring which carry the name ‘Marsden’ and the date ‘January 04 87,” he added.

Mr Binns’ research led him find the ring was made in the memory of Clitheroe-born Henry Marsden (1625-1688), a man of substance from a highly-respected Lancashire family.

“This is such a fascinating find: even the date inscription is interesting. “The ring is says January ‘87, but we know from the records that Henry Marsden died in 1688 - he’s actually buried in Gisburn.

“A different calendar was in use at that time, however, the Julian calendar only began its new year on March 25, so a date in January belongs to the previous year.”

Mr Binns submitted the ring to the coroner before it went for examination by experts at the British Museum, who supported his findings.

“I think the ring would have been made for Henry Marsden’s widow, Jennet Mort, but I’m not really sure whether I’d want to wear such a grisly piece of jewellery, even if it is a piece of Lancashire history,” he added.

The ring is now making its way down to London and will be up for auction through Dix Noonan Web of Mayfair on November 29 with an estimated auction price of between £1,500 and £2,000.

On the auctioneer’s website the listing states: “A 17th century memento mori ring, for Henry Marsden, the yellow gold band with a stylised skull motif to the exterior, bearing traces of black enamel, the interior inscribed ‘:Marsden Ar. Ob:4 oJan 87’, also with traces of black enamel, ring size L. Guide: £1,500 to £2,000.

“Henry Marsden (1625-1688) was born in Clitheroe, the son of the headmaster of the local grammar school. He was educated at Staple Inn and Gray’s Inn as an attorney and lived at Gisburn in Craven. By 1654 Marsden had married Jennet Mort, the daughter of Adam Mort, the mayor of Preston, who was killed when the town was taken by parliamentary forces in 1643.

Marsden was Justice of the Peace for West Yorkshire from 1667, for Lancashire from 1676 and Gloucestershire and Camarthenshire from 1680. He was deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire from 1680 and was elected as MP for Clitheroe in 1680 and 1681.

One of his daughters married Ambrose Pudsay, from Bolton-by-Bowland, who also later became the MP for Clitheroe.

In 1674 Marsden bought the Wemmington Estate, in Lonsdale.

The auctioneer’s description states the gold band has some wear all over and a little grazing and scratching around the edges. The skull motif is clear, about 1/2-2/3 of the black enamel remains.

In 1752 England, Wales and Ireland adopted the Gregorian calendar, replacing the Julian calendar. Prior to this the civil/legal year began in Lady Day, on March 25. Contemporary texts record dates between January 1 and 25th March as belonging to the previous year. This is why a date of death recorded at the time as 4th January 1687 would now be recorded as 4th January 1688.