A stunned schoolboy found part of the handle of a 13th-century sword with his metal detector.
Lucas Cunliffe was out with his dad, Dave, when he unearthed it.
The sword pommel – the knob at the end of the handle – is extremely rare.
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It is one of only seven ever found and is believed to be over 700 years old.
It is inscribed with Medieval Latin writing which translates as ‘Jesus, King of the Jews’.
Proud Dave said: “He got a strong signal on his machine and decided to dig.
“But it was about a foot down.
“When he showed us, it was obviously something special, but I don’t think any of us realised just how special.
The father and son, of Middlesbrough, have been metal detecting together for five years.
Dave said they are keeping the exact location of the find on Sunday (9 Feb) a secret.
But he said it was on flat ground near a river in the north of England.
Expert, Paul MacDonald, said: “It’s a late 13th-century pommel and one of now seven known examples of this form.”
The ancient relic is thought to be linked to the Scottish War of Independence and the days of Robert the Bruce.
The wars took place between 1296 and 1357.
Only six other similar pommels have been discovered, but all in Scotland.
They are all made of bronze.
The pommel has now gone to the Find Liaison Officer who will investigate further along with a Coroner and the British Museum.
“It could be years before we hear anything or get it back,” Dave told What’s The Jam.
“But hopefully it will end up on display in a museum with my son’s name on it.
“He is so excited as we all are. I’m really chuffed for him.”
