Glenn Manning and Simon James

In March 2023, homicide investigator Glenn Manning was at a detectorist rally in Willersey, North Cotswolds, when he recorded a strong signal on his machine. What he initially thought to be a ring pull turned out to be one of the biggest and most significant detectorist finds ever unearthed in the Cotswolds: two exceptionally rare and richly decorated Roman swords, commonly known as spathae, along with remnants of their wooden scabbards and fitments. Subsequent excavations suggest the swords were buried at a grand Roman villa built on the site of an iron age settlement. HistoryExtra’s Dave Musgrove interviews Glenn, alongside archaeologist Simon James, to get the full story – just as the restored swords go on display at the Corinium Museum.

Discounted museum entry to see the swords on display on presentation of talk ticket.