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Witchmarks carved into a room in a historic house in preparation for a visit by King James I have been discovered by archaeologists.

The superstitious carvings were made in the 17th century to protect the monarch from evil spirits and demons, which were thought to be rife following the Gunpowder Plot.

The marks have been hidden for centuries in Knole House in Kent, and have only come to light as part of the National Trust's work to conserve the building, which is one of Britain's most important historic properties.

Witchmarks (pictured) carved into a room in a historic house in preparation for a visit by King James I have been discovered by archaeologists investigating Knole House, in Kent

The witchmarks are scratched into beams and joists below the floorboards and fireplace surrounds in the Upper King's Room of the palatial house. They comprise a collection of lines that act as a net to catch demons.

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) dated the marks to early 1606 and the reign of King James I.

A few months before the marks were engraved, the infamous Gunpowder Plot of 1605 had caused mass hysteria to sweep across the county and accusations of demonic forces and witches at work were rife.

Experts believe that craftsmen working for then owner of Knole, Thomas Sackville, carved the marks in anticipation of a visit from King James I with the intention of protecting him from evil spirits.

Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (Mola) dated the marks found hidden under floorboards (pictured right) to early 1606 and the reign of King James I (illustrated with a painting by John de Criz the elder, left)

The marks have been hidden for centuries in Knole House, Kent (pictured). They have come to light as part of the National Trust's work to conserve the house, which is one of Britain's most important historic properties

Also known as apotropaic marks, the carved intersecting lines and symbols found in the Upper King's Room were thought to form a 'demon trap' warding off evil spirits and preventing demonic possessions.

'King James I had a keen interest in witchcraft and passed a witchcraft law, making it an offence punishable by death and even wrote a book on the topic entitled Daemonologie,' James Wright, a Mola buildings archaeologist explained.

'These marks illustrate how fear governed the everyday lives of people living through the tumultuous years of the early 17th century.

'To have precisely dated these apotropaic marks so closely to the time of the Gunpowder Plot, with the anticipated visit from the King, makes this a rare if not unique discovery.

Also known as apotropaic marks, the carved intersecting lines (pictured) and symbols found in the Upper King's Room were thought to form a 'demon trap' warding off evil spirits and preventing demonic possessions

The superstitious carvings were made in the 17th century to protect the monarch from evil spirits and demons, which were thought to be rife following the Gunpowder Plot. An 18th century illustration of Guy Fawkes and his fellow conspirators in a secret room at the back of St Clements Church is pictured

Experts believe that craftsmen working for then owner of Knole, Thomas Sackville, carved the marks in anticipation of a visit from King James I with the intention of protecting him from evil spirits. They were found beneath the floorboards and hidden in the fireplace (pictured) in the Upper King's Room of the house

'Using archaeology to better understand the latent fears of the common man that were heightened by the Plot is extremely exciting and adds huge significance to our research about Knole and what was happening at that time,' he added.

Nathalie Cohen, National Trust archaeologist, said: 'It's wonderful to be able to piece together the forgotten stories of those who lived and worked at Knole and to share them with our visitors.

'This is that once-in-a-lifetime chance to unravel the history of one of the largest houses in the country, from the rafters to the floorboards.'

Investigative work to learn more about the building and its past inhabitants will continue throughout the house until 2018.

A series of behind the scenes tours are available on November 20 and 21 so that visitors can discover the witchmarks for themselves. 

The marks (pictured) illustrate how fear governed the everyday lives of people living through the tumultuous years of the early 17th century. Here, National Trust archaeologist Nathalie Cohen inspects the witchmarks

'To have precisely dated these apotropaic marks so closely to the time of the Gunpowder Plot, with the anticipated visit from the King, makes this a rare if not unique discovery,' James Wright, a Mola buildings archaeologist explained. The room in which they were found is pictured