A Roadside Find
In January 2000, retired farmer Paul Mills was clearing a roadside pond (NCR TQ484674) near his property in Waldens Road, St Mary Cray, and was understandably surprised to discover an ancient iron helmet buried in the mud. The find obviously warranted investigation, and it was taken initially to the Museum of London. From there it was transferred to the Wallace Collection for examination by the Head of the Armoury Section and his metallurgist, who removed a fragment for analysis. The helmet was subsequently identified as being that of a late seventeenth century cavalryman.
How it came to be thrown into the pond remains a mystery, but it could have had links with Richard Spencer of Orpington Priory. He is known to have been a supporter of the King, Charles I, for whom he had raised two regiments of horse. Although Spencer died in 1661, it is just possible that the helmet dates from the Commonwealth period and re-used after the Restoration when Richard's widow, Ann, was allowed to return to the Priory.
One thing is certain. The helmet is not a copy or a theatrical piece. It could have found its way into a private house or one of the local parish churches. Thieves could subsequently have stolen and later discarded it, although there is, as yet, no evidence for this.
If any reader of this article can throw light on the subject, please contact the editor.
John Blundell