A COAT of arms first painted at around the time King Charles II took to the throne of England at the end of Oliver Cromwell's revolution has turned up in a barn at Whittington, north Lancashire.

The painted panel, measuring six feet by seven feet, was found by builders in the outbuilding close to St Michael's Church in the village.

The first thing the workmen spotted was the writing on the back of the panel reading: "Made and painted in 1661" and "painted by Robert Smith, in 1819, April 24, K-Lonsdale".

Realising that they had stumbled across something a bit special, they called in local historian Gerald Hodgson, who lives nearby.

Mr Hodgson explained that, according to the earlier date, the panel was made soon after the Restoration of the monarchy after the 11 years of the interregnum following Oliver Cromwell's defeat and ultimate execution of King Charles I in 1649. He said it might have been among the first royal regalia restored to churches after they were removed following the Civil War. The panel appears to have been repainted with the arms of George III by Kirkby Lonsdale craftsman, Robert Smith, in 1819.

According to Mr Hodgson, the coat of arms may have languished unseen in the outhouse since the church was renovated in 1870.

At first glance the historic artwork itself looks a lot like a whitewashed fence panel but, a little clean water gently applied, reveals some of the former glory.

"It's a bit like finding an old master", said Mr Hodgson.

Experts at Lancaster Museum estimate that restoration will cost around £5,000 and plan to X-ray the coat of arms to get a better idea of the original 1661 painting beneath the George III coat of arms.

Plans are now afoot to raise money to pay for the restoration work and it is hoped that the coat of arms will eventually be restored to St Michael's Church.

May 15, 2003 15:00