The gold ring carries the coat of arms of the Jenison family. The Jenisons were prominent in English politics in the 16th and 17th centuries, occupying various government positions and political offices in Nottinghamshire County (where the city of Nottingham is located) in England’s East Midlands region.
“The ring has survived in near perfect condition and the front face bears a detailed engraving of the Jenison family arms, two swans separated by a diagonal bend,” said Hansons consultant Adam Staples. “This would have been pressed into melted wax in order to seal the family crest on important letters and documents.” The experts have confirmed that the original owner of the gold signet ring was one Sir Matthew Jenison .
Trained as a lawyer, Matthew was knighted in 1683 at the age of 29 and assumed the office of High Sheriff of Nottingham in that same year. The office of High Sheriff was actually separate from the office of sheriff, so there were really two individuals who carried the title “Sheriff of Nottingham” at that time (and in the years beyond). Sir Matthew remained High Sheriff for one year, and later went on to serve as a member of the Parliament representing the village of Newark.
Ironically, Sir Matthew shared an important characteristic with the fictional Sheriff of Nottingham. Like the dastardly sheriff who harassed Robin Hood, Sir Matthew was ethically challenged and apparently quite the scoundrel. He was sued several times for various forms of misconduct, and was eventually sentenced to prison for failing to pay his legal fees from one of these suits. He died while incarcerated in 1734, remembered more for his misdeeds than his positive accomplishments.
https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/sheriff-nottingham-0016568
= new reply since forum marked as read