500-year-old Shropshire tiles could sell for £1,000

Three rare 500-year-old tiles discovered in Shropshire are expected to fetch up to £1,000 at an auction next month.

The 15th century floor tiles came to light 20 years ago at Glazeley, near Bridgnorth.

They are considered particularly desirable and valuable as they feature the name of Sir John Talbot who later became the first Earl of Shrewsbury and who is portrayed in William Shakespeare's Henry VI.

They are now expected to sell for between £700 and £1,000 at Bonhams in London on September 8.

Bonhams said the medieval tiles were found at Glazeley all of the same design, decorated in white on red, with the name of Sir John Talbot above the family crest of a white dog, its tongue extended, and a sprig of oak leaves in the corner.

A spokesman for the auctioneers said: "John Talbot, first Earl of Shrewsbury, circa 1384 to 1453, achieved fame as a commander during the Hundred Years War. He was present at Henry V's triumphal entry into Paris and continued fighting until his death in battle during the Siege of Castillon on July 20,1453."

Talbot's remains were brought back to Shropshire and buried at Whitchurch.

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography says Talbot made his name as an independent commander in France from 1427-28, being dubbed "The Terror of the French".