Craftsmen at Collyweston-based firm Messenger Construction discover artefacts at Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk

Three craftsmen have helped an archaeologist discover hidden treasures dating back to the medieval period whilst working on a 15th Century country house.

Collyweston-based firm Messenger Construction is nearing the half-way mark on a two-year project to complete the restoration of the roofs, chimneys and dormer windows at the National Trust’s Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk.

When beginning work at the moated manor house, the employees did not expect to be responsible for discovering two major historical artefacts.

But during roof repairs at the beginning of August, heritage carpenters Michael Woodcock and Steven Wallhead discovered an almost complete Tudor book, that was hidden in an attic void.

Complete with its gilded leather binding, it is almost intact – a few fragments from it had previously been found in a rats’ nest. It is thought that it dates from 1569 and is one of the only two copies in the world to exist.

Site manager Wayne Gray said the carpenters were “overwhelmed by the discovery”.

Wayne added: “We predominantly work in the heritage sector carrying out conservation and restoration projects such as this. All work is carried out with minimum disturbance and great care.”

Another of the star finds, a 15th-century illuminated manuscript fragment on parchment, was spotted in the rubble of the eaves by another Messenger team member, Robert Jessop from Rippingale.

Despite centuries amongst debris, the glimmer of gold leaf and bright blue of the illuminated initials was still vibrant.

Wayne added: “He was very interested in finding out what it was.

“He thought it was of great importance straight away due to the fine writing and gilded letters.”

Project archaeologist, Matthew Champion has now uncovered one of the largest underfloor archaeology hauls of its type in a National Trust house.

“I think the National Trust expected to find something, but it has been far more overwhelming than we all imagined. Many of the items Matthew found during fingertip searches under the floorboards were in areas which wouldn’t have been disturbed since construction.” said Wayne.

Oxburgh Hall was built by Sir Edmund Bedingfeld after he inherited the estate in 1476. The family still live in part of the building today.

The collapse of a window in 2016 exposed structural weakness to the roofline. The £6m repair project was underway when lockdown began.