Staff at Mountfitchet Castle were stunned yesterday when one of the resident hens scratched up within the grounds of the historic village a ‘rowel’ from a Medieval knight’s spur.

A visitor to the attraction in the Stansted area witnessed the event and thinking this ‘trinket’ could be something of historical importance immediately handed it into the visitor centre.

After a quick wash of the item, the owner of the attraction Jeremy Goldsmith quickly identified it as a part of a spur as worn by Knights over 1000 years ago.

The rowel which dates back to Medieval times and is the spinning wheel part of the spur.

It will be put out on display for all visitors to see over the Easter holidays.