Mid May a large bronze jug, the so-called, Wenlok jug was stolen from the local museum in Luton. Monday morning the jug was recovered in Tadworth in Surrey. According to Bedfordshire Police, two people were arrested at the location. One has been charged with handling stolen property and the second has been released on police bail pending further enquiries. The investigation continues, and the police are still appealing to the public for information regarding the burglary.
Karen Perkins, Director of Museums said: “We are thrilled that the Wenlok Jug has been successfully recovered and would like to thank Bedfordshire Police for their diligence and hard work over the course of the investigation so far. We are delighted that this irreplaceable piece of local history has returned to Stockwood Discovery Centre and the community of Luton.”
The Wenlok Jug is of enormous historical significance to the Luton area. Made approximately 1400-1500 AD, it is one of only three similar jugs in the UK and of the three, this one bears the earliest maker’s mark. It is made of bronze, stands 31.5cm tall, weighs 6.1kgs and is decorated with the English coat of arms, the East Anglian coat of arms and the inscription „My Lord Wenlok.‟ The inscription could relate either to the first Lord Wenlock, who lived near Luton, or William Wenlock (died 1391) who is buried under St Mary‟s Parish Church of Luton. He was a canon of King‟s Chapel and Master of Farley Hospital for the poor.
At the time of purchase in 2006, the Wenlok Jug was valued at £795,000.
The theft occurred at 11.22pm on Saturday 12 May 2012, when a man wearing a hoodie and a scarf to cover his face, and carrying a NIKE sling bag, climbed the fence, smashed first the door and then the security cabinet with a heavy metal object and stole the jug. Afterwards a public ensued on the wisdom of exhibiting such treasures at a local museum.