A “very rare” English Civil War sword, which belonged to one of the royalist leaders at the Siege of Colchester in the summer of 1648, sold for more than £18,000 at auction yesterday.
The basket-hilted sword, which was once owned by Lord Capel, smashed its guide price of between £5,000 and £7,000 at Bonhams in London, fetching £18,750.
Lord Capel, after whom Capel Road in Colchester is named, was beheaded in 1649 – the year after the siege – and on the eve of his execution gave the sword to his friend Sir John Owen.
Etched on the sword are the words: “Lord Capel the day before his execution presented the sword to Sir John Owen by whom he said he was convinced it would be worn with honour.”
Capel was aged 41 when he was executed in Old Palace Yard at the Palace of Westminster on March 9, 1649.
Auctioneers Bonhams described the early 17th century sword as “very rare”.
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