Could medieval "three lions" badge be an omen?

LONDON (Reuters) - An archaeologist has discovered a medieval copper badge decorated with the three lions associated with the coat of arms of England -- a find she says may bode well for the nation's World Cup hopes in South Africa.

Caroline Rann, a field archaeologist with Warwickshire County Council's Archaeology Projects Group, found the 700-year old item while investigating a medieval stone wall in Coventry.

"This has been hidden for hundreds of years and for it to appear now has to be a sign that England will go all the way in the World Cup," she said.

The inch-high badge, which may have originally come from a horse harness, is believed to date from the 13th century. The badge was lodged between sandstone blocks and may have fallen in while the wall was being built.

The three lions emblem, stencilled on English football jerseys, was first used by King Henry II (1154-89) who added a third lion to the previous coat of arms which only had two.

This continued until 1340 when the royal coat of arms was quartered with those of France in order to back up King Edward III's claim to the French throne.

The corroded artefact, which is not thought to have any significant material value, was found during excavation work on a site once occupied by medieval housing.

(Reporting by Stefano Ambrogi; Editing by Steve Addison)