As England's Lionesses lifted the 2022 European Championship trophy last night (July 31) HS2 released images of a pedant uncovered during its archaeological excavations in Warwickshire.

The iconic three golden lions on a field of red - mirroring the distinctive England football crest - was discovered in Wormleighton on a site that is thought to have been either an Iron Age or Romano British settlement.

HS2 said the heraldry shown on the pendant was in use by the Crown between 1189-1340.

The high speed rail developer said it would have likely decorated a horse's harness.

A spokeswoman for HS2 Ltd said: "HS2's archaeology programme has given us an unprecedented opportunity to discover, excavate and study British history."

William the Conqueror used two lions on a red background as his coat of arms and brought the symbol to the English throne.

Henry II first used three lions on a red background, adding a lion to William the Conqueror's two when he married Eleanor of Aquitaine, possbily to represent his marriage into the family.

HS2 released the images as England's Lionesses lifted the European Championship trophy last nigh (image via HS2)