Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

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. £1500-2000

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 during the Commonwealth period 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, who also later became the MP for Clitheroe.
In 1674 Marsden brought the Wemmington Estate in Lonsdale. He died on 4th January 1688, at the age of 62 and is buried at Gisburn.

In 1752 England, Wales and Ireland adopted the Gregorian calendar, replacing the Julian calendar. Prior to this the civil/legal year began on Lady Day, 25th March. Contemporary texts record dates between 1st January 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.