A ROYAL Seal -- identified as that of Henry III -- has been discovered in a big metal box containing letters and documents relating to the Baylie Charity, custodians of Tenbury's Round Market.

Investigations show it could be the original Great Seal attached to the charter given to the town by King Henry in the 13th century.

It is on the Charter Roll of Henry III held by the Office of the Master of the Rolls. The Sovereign enthroned is on the front of the seal and on the reverse a coat of arms instead of the king in battle armour.

Documents

Explaining the discovery, Baylie trustee Paul Gregory confirmed: "I was going through a large tin box of letters and documents returned to us by our solicitors, Talbots, in Kidderminster. I was looking for information on our founder, Phillip Baylie, and the wax seal looking a bit the worse for wear, was attached to a piece of parchment-like material in a cigar box.

"I have seen a copy of a similar Edward III royal seal and believe it to be 99 per cent authentic and a significant find for the town." he added.

A spokesman for the historic documents department at Kew confirmed: "If it is the genuine article it is a rare find of great interest to researchers and historians. To have been found after so long in a box of artifacts is also very interesting and we look forward to hearing more."

Tenbury's local historian Howard Miller prefers not to comment until he has seen the royal seal but has doubts about it being the genuine one. However, he believes it to the seal granting a charter to Roger de Clifford in 1249 for a Tuesday Market in Tenbury.

Val Swanick, chair of Tenbury and District Museum Society, said: "Royal seal or not, it is still a major discovery of

considerable interest to the town and we would like to have it on display in the museum and draw in more visitors."

The box also contained the original account book for the Phillip Baylie Charity from Elizabethan times through to the middle 1800s, listing charitable handouts to local people and contributions to the upkeep of local bridges and toll gates.

The chairman of the Baylie trustees, Frank Crisp, told the Advertiser: "This is both a surprising and impressive find and we are waiting for authentication before deciding on our next move."