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Posy Ring inscribed ‘I Live in Hope’, Wool Trade Gallery
Project type
Voice Over of Poem
Date
March 2025
Location
Tiverton, Devon
A poem by Emma Phillips, read by Beccy Lloyd
The posy ring that inspired this poem dates from the 1500s or 1600s and has the inscription ‘I live in hope’ engraved on the inside. Posy rings were popular in the 15th to 17th centuries, as tokens of love. It was believed that wearing words against the skin increased their poignancy. This ring was found by a metal detectorist near Uffculme and is on permanent display in our Wool Trade Gallery.
While we don’t know anything about the original owner, Emma Phillips (2024-25 Writer in Residence at Tiverton Museum) has imagined their story here. Featured alongside the words, read by Beccy Lloyd, are photos of farm workers in Mid Devon from our photographic collection. Of course photography wasn’t invented until much later than the 16th and 17th century, so the photos shown here are from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Author: Emma Phillips