File:Post Medieval vervel (FindID 519704).jpg

English: A small silver vervel or hawking ring inscribed "Sir Willem / Sheffeild" [sic] and dating from the 17th century. It is a flat circular ring, rectangular in section and inscribed on both faces in italic script with stars or asterixes filling the remaining space.

There are several Sir William Sheffields, but the most likely candidate to be the owner of this vervel was elected to parliament in 1624 as one of the MPs for Thirsk. He married Mary Dent on the 23 September 1634 (Charles Mosley, editor, Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003), volume 2, page 2674) and died in 1645/6. There is a memorial to him and his wife in the church of St Martin le Grand in York.

Similar hawking vervels or hawk rings dating to the 17th century have been reported under the Treasure Act. See for example 2007T305 from Emneth, Norfolk (NMS-2C1204, acquired by Norwich Castle Museum) and 2003T58 from King's Somborne, Hampshire (HAMP3205, returned to the finder). Compare also SOM-AD9013, PAS-B05027 and HAMP-039157.

The similarity of the lettering on this vervel to that of other examples dated to the 17th Century, and the probable association of this item with a person living in the early 17th century, indicate that it is likely to date from that time as well. As an item made of silver and being older than 300 years old at the time of its recovery, the vervel qualifies as Treasure under the terms of the Treasure Act 1996.