history
Man 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 Priory
TL;DR
- Fragments of medieval priory tiles, pocketed by Simon White as a nine-year-old in the late 1960s, have been returned 60 years later.
- The tiles, dating from the late 13th to early 14th century, were found in a toffee tin during a house move.
- White contacted English Heritage, who confirmed the fragments most likely came from Wenlock Priory.
- One tile fragment features a dragon motif, previously unknown at the site, and another depicts a lion-like face.
- The tiles will be moved to an English Heritage archaeology store for further analysis.
- English Heritage expressed gratitude and encouraged others with similar long-held souvenirs to come forward.