Prayerbook of priest who saved Charles II’s life on display in Staffordshire hall

The National Trust brought the missal at auction, more than 60 years after a man paid sixpence for it in a Liverpool secondhand bookshop. Photograph: National Trust Images/James Dobs

A 400-year-old prayerbook owned by a Catholic priest who helped save the life of Charles II, son of the executed King Charles I, has gone on public display at the house where he sought refuge after being defeated by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.

The rare missal was bought by the National Trust (NT) at auction, more than 60 years after a man paid sixpence for it in a Liverpool secondhand bookshop.