A POST medieval gold ring given as a thank you gift by Queen Elizabeth I for defeating the Spanish Armada is going under the hammer.

Dating back to about 1590, the ring is being sold by Dovercourt-based Timeline Auctions, based in Dovercourt, on September 5.

Decorated with rubies and turquoise, the ring also has a portrait of Queen Elizabeth I and there are engravings of Roman god Neptune and a naked woman on the shoulders. Underneath is ancient bone engraved with a Tudor three-masted sailing ship.

Timeline chief executive Brett Hammond said: “It’s a very big and chunky gold ring.

“It was given as an Armada victory present to a very important person who was in control of the navy, possibly Sir Francis Drake.

“It’s impressive. It’s suffered weathering over time and some of the stones have been lost but it’s very interesting and very important.”

The defeat of the Spanish Armada is one of the most famous events in English history and saw Elizabeth I make her most famous speech.

When she addressed her forces at Tilbury ahead of the assault, she said: “I know I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman, but I have the heart and stomach of a king.”

It is not know exactly who the ring was given to after the naval victory but other possible recipients are Rear Admiral Sir John Hawkins, commander of the English forces Lord Howard of Effingham or her naval advisor Sir Walter Raleigh.

Its jewelled border is said to be similar to the well-known Sir Francis Drake Jewel – a locket given to Drake by Elizabeth in the late 16th Century and possibly associated with the Armada victory.

Drake is shown wearing the locket in a portrait dated to 1591.

Brett added: “It’s really funny how the ring has come to us with Harwich’s naval connections, and Elizabeth I actually came here to Harwich as it was a very important port back in those days.

“Harwich would have been quite a big part of the production of ships, with ships sailing from here to defeat the Spanish in 1588.

“The ring must have been given shortly afterwards – it could even have been presented here.

“There are pieces like this that come to light over the years that were given to various people. There is a tradition of monarchs giving rings to top generals for victories in battles that goes back to Constantine I.

“Elizabeth was known to give jewellery to thank those who did well in battle for her. All the experts we have consulted are in no doubt it was something she gave out.”

The ring is expected to sell for up to £100,000 at the company’s auction in Westminster.