Archbishop's treasure found in river

A number of valuable ecclesiastical treasures given to a former Archbishop of Canterbury have been found dumped in a river.
By Paul Stokes
23 Oct 2009

A haul of 32 artefacts, including gifts from Pope Paul VI and a commemorative medallion presented to the bishop for the Queen's coronation in 1952, have been recovered from the River Wear in Durham.

They had been in the possession of Michael Ramsey, the 100th Archbishop of Canterbury, who spent part of his retirement in the northern city where he served as bishop.

One theory is that he may have cast the items into the water himself at various times, having a reputation for eccentricity before his death 21 years ago at the age of 83.

Another suggestion is that they may have been stolen before being discarded by thieves for some reason as they crossed Prebends Bridge. the rest