Man who pocketed tiles from medieval priory as boy returns them 60 years later
A man who took three medieval tile fragments from Wenlock Priory as a child in the 1960s has returned them to English Heritage after rediscovering them in a toffee tin nearly 60 years later. The tiles, dating from the late 13th to early 14th century, include rare decorative motifs such as a dragon and a lion-like face previously undocumented at the site. English Heritage welcomed the return, noting the unusual preservation of the artifacts and encouraging others to return similar long-held items.
- ▪Simon White took the tiles from Wenlock Priory as a nine-year-old during a family visit in the late 1960s.
- ▪The tiles were discovered in an old toffee tin during a house move and later returned to English Heritage.
- ▪One tile fragment features a dragon motif previously unknown at Wenlock Priory, making it archaeologically significant.
- ▪English Heritage confirmed the tiles likely originated from Wenlock Priory based on historical and archaeological analysis.
- ▪The tiles will be stored in an English Heritage archaeology facility for further study and not reinstalled at the site.
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Simon White with his father in 1967. Photograph: Simon WhiteView image in fullscreenSimon White with his father in 1967. Photograph: Simon WhiteHeritageMan who pocketed tiles from medieval priory as boy returns them 60 years later Simon White comes clean after finding clay pieces in toffee tin, saying he took them as souvenir from Wenlock PriorySteven MorrisFri 1 May 2026 01.00 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleFragments of a priory’s medieval tiled floor that spent almost 60 years stashed in a toffee tin after being pocketed by a nine-year-old boy during a family outing have finally been handed back.The three pieces of decorative clay tiles, dating from the late 13th to early 14th century, were taken as a souvenir by Simon White during a family visit to Wenlock Priory in Shropshire in…
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