An 800-year-old pendant featuring three golden lions has been unearthed by archaeologists working on the HS2 high-speed rail project.
The priceless treasure, dating back to the 12th century, was found in Wormleighton, a village in Warwickshire about 50 miles southeast of Birmingham.
It features the iconic three golden lions on a field of red, mirroring the distinctive England football crest, and likely would have decorated a horse harness.
Archaeologists suspect it was quite new when it was lost and it may have become detached from its suspension fitting whilst in use.
As England’s Lionesses prepare for an historic football final, HS2 Ltd has released an image of a pendant uncovered as part of its archaeological excavations
The famous three lions crest that adorns the kit of the England national teams has origins dating back nearly 1,000 years
The use of lions as a symbol of England dates back to the first Norman king, William the Conqueror, who reigned from 1066 until 1087.
William the Conqueror used two lions on a red background as his coat of arms and brought the symbol to the English throne.
Henry II, King of England from 1154 until his death in 1189, added a third lion after his marriage to Eleanor of Aquitaine, which took place in 1152.
This type of harness pendant depicts the Arms of England from the reign of Henry’s son Richard I (1189-1199) to the establishment of the Lancastrian Dynasty in 1399, so it therefore likely dates back as early as the 12th century.
According to HS2 Ltd, the state-funded body responsible for delivering the upcoming HS2 line, the site where the pendant was found would have been an Iron Age or Romano British settlement.
The discovery was announced by HS2 Ltd ahead of the Women’s Euros final against Germany at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.
‘HS2’s archaeology programme has given us an unprecedented opportunity to discover, excavate and study British history,’ said a spokeswoman for HS2 Ltd.
‘The whole country has got behind the England Women’s team and we hope this great find will inspire the Lionesses to create their own piece of history on Sunday.’
The pendant is a shield-shaped design – a ‘heater’ shield to be precise with a flat top with sides sloping steeply to a point.
It measures less than 2cm (0.7-inch) in width and over 4cm (1.5-inch) in height going the very top to bottom, including the fastening loop
William the Conqueror (depicted here) who reigned England from 1066 until his death in 1087, used two lions on a red background as his coat of arms and brought the symbol to the English throne
It’s made of copper alloy, most likely brass, that was gilded – covered thinly with gold paint.
The three lions are etched onto a red background, made of an opaque deep red enamel, possibly originally meant to symbolise the blood of a battlefield, while the reverse is plain and undecorated.
The pendant measures less than 2cm (0.7-inch) in width and over 4cm (1.5-inch) from top to bottom, including the fastening loop.
Weathering of the red enamel and some of the gilding is apparent, possibly where the pendant was rubbed against the horse harness during use.
HS2 Ltd said the condition of this object is ‘quite remarkable’ and that it is very rare to see an horse harness pendant in ‘such a fine state of preservation’.
HS2’s upcoming line aims to provide a high-speed rail service linking London and northern England, but before HS2 workers build bridges, tunnels, tracks and stations, archaeological work is taking place along the line of route.
This will ensure concrete isn’t dumped over the secrets of Britain’s past, although it has been controversial for ripping up historic buildings and nature spots.
Last month, HS2 Ltd detailed multiple findings at an Anglo-Saxon burial ground near the market town of Wendover, Buckinghamshire.
These include a skeleton with a spear embedded in its back, as well as beads, brooches, buckles, knives and spearheads.
