Medieval graffiti found in home

The engravings depict medieval knights, birds and arrow heads

Medieval inscriptions have been discovered on the wall of a house in Staffordshire.

The owners of Peartree Farmhouse, in Yoxall, discovered the carvings when they started to redecorate the 14th Century house.

The engravings depict medieval knights, birds and arrow heads.

Julian Bagg, historic buildings expert, said the markings may have been engraved into the walls to ward off evil spirits.

Roman numerals

He said: "People would have felt more secure if they had blessed the house by marking it, in the same way you would consecrate a church.

"It's a kind of blessing - a good luck charm."

The home's owner Pam Kingman said when she first saw the markings she thought they were roman numerals.

She also noticed the word Yoxhale which was the name of the village centuries ago.