A series of exhibitions this summer is giving people the chance to see some of the dazzling artefacts from the Staffordshire Hoard.

The Staffordshire Hoard is the largest hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silverwork found anywhere in the world.

It was unearthed in a field near Lichfield in 2009 and contains nearly 4,000 items, including a pectoral cross, a biblical inscription and a seahorse.

Forty of the finest items from the hoard will be toured for the first time from July 2 to September 18, starting at Shire Hall Gallery in Stafford, where it will stay until July 24.

The free exhibitions will also chart the exploits of the bloodthirsty Mercians through the heartland of the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Mercia.

Each venue will give visitors a chance to explore a different aspect of the internationally renowned collection.

In Stafford, visitors can find out how the hoard was unearthed, what archaeological
methods were used, and how the soil revealed untold mysteries and stories.

There will also be a chance to discover how diligent archaeologists worked
in secret to save the Staffordshire Hoard for the nation.

The tour then moves to Lichfield Cathedral, where the hoard will be on display from July 30 until August 21.

The origins of the cathedral are rooted in the same era that scholars believe the hoard
was buried. Here, visitors can delve into the ‘Christianisation’ of Mercia and the heroic figure of St Chad.

This exhibition will also explore the significance of some of the most
famous items in the collection - the folded cross, the pectoral cross and the
biblical inscription.

From August 27 to September 18, the hoard will be at its final stop on the tour, the ancient capital of Mercia at Tamworth Castle, once home to the King of Mercia’s
palace.

In homage to the Anglo-Saxon military history of the town, this section of the tour presents the opportunity to discover the bloodthirsty nature of the military items in the hoard, and handle replica sword and helmets. There will also be film footage of the find and a host of interactive exhibits to bring the tour to life.

Consisting of around 3,500 items, the collection has been dated to the 7th or 8th centuries, placing the origin of the items in the violent and grisly time of the Kingdom of Mercia.

For further information about The Staffordshire Hoard On Tour, visit
www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk