Green Seven Headed Dragon Badge

[taffinnorfol]

A friend recently found a very odd badge whilst metal detecting on site in Norfolk which is rich in Roman and medieval artefacts.
The badge is of a four legged European dragon, with pointy, arrow, tail and ... seven necks and heads. It looks a bit like a griphon but is obviously a dragon emblem. I know about the biblical reference to seven headed dragons .. representing the devil and Rome but can't think why such a badge would have been made.
It's about 3cm square overall. It's made of a non magnetic metal with clear traces of original dark green paint. There are the remains of four fixing pins on the reverse. My guess it's either a cap or armour badge but .... what does it represent, who might have worn it and .. when?? There are no makers marks whatsoever.
It has a late medieval feel to it but guess could be more recent, or... Roman!!!
A real puzzle.
Any anoraks like me out there???

[jno]

I don't think the Romans did dragons

[Grandma_Yiddo]

Try googling seven headed dragon,there's lots of info.

[bert_h]

The 'Lernean Hydra', slain by Hercules as one of his 12 labours, is often depicted with seven heads - see the Wikipedia page on it for some pictures.