A sword discovered 30 years ago in Shropshire’s mysterious Caynton Caves has been identified as a rare 13th-century weapon—possibly belonging to a member of the legendary Knights Templar.
Mark Lawton, who found the sword in the late 1980s, made the discovery while exploring the man-made underground chambers near Beckbury, Shropshire. For decades, the rusty blade sat unnoticed on his windowsill—until he recently sent it to Halls Fine Art Auctioneers in Shrewsbury for evaluation.
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Mark Lawton found this rusty sword inside Shropshire’s mysterious Caynton caves 30 years ago
Experts confirmed the sword dates back to the 1200s and could have belonged to a knight, potentially even a member of the fabled Catholic military order known as the Knights Templar.
A Mysterious Cave with Templar Ties
The Knights Templar, active between 1119 and 1312, were known for their bravery during the Crusades and their secret rituals. They wore white mantles marked by a red cross and reportedly held ceremonies in hidden, domed structures similar to the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Caynton Caves—with their Romanesque archways, circular chambers, and candle niches—fit the profile of a secret meeting place. Some historians believe the caves were carved by the Templars seeking refuge when King Philip IV of France, deeply in debt to the order, persecuted and disbanded them.
Others argue that the caves were created for quarrying sandstone in the 18th or 19th century by the Legge family.
A Rare and Valuable Artifact
The sword’s hilt features a straight cross guard forming a cross—a reminder of the knight’s religious vows. Despite its broken tip, experts estimate the sword’s value between £1,000 and £1,500 ($1,250–$1,900 USD).
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Mark Lawton has reported the find to the Portable Antiquities Scheme in Shropshire, which is conducting further research on how the sword ended up in the cave. However, because the caves are on private property near Caynton Hall—a historic estate built in the late 18th or early 19th century—the landowner may have a legal claim to the sword.
The Ongoing Mystery
Over the years, the Caynton Caves have sparked curiosity and speculation. While some believe they provided shelter for the Templars, others point to more modern uses—including rumors of occult rituals in recent decades. Due to trespassing concerns, the property owners have sealed the entrance and installed security cameras.
Whether the caves were a Templar sanctuary or simply a quarry, the discovery of this ancient sword adds another layer to their intriguing and mysterious history.
