Dr Crook, who lives in St. Andrews, Grantham, received the honour at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.

He retired earlier this year after 33 years working for the National Archives in London.

He said: "It was a splendid day. The whole family went and all enjoyed it.

"We were very well looked after. It was a thrill just being there and being part of it all."

Dr Crook was able to spend some time chatting with the Prince of Wales about his career.

He specialised in the medieval period with a particular focus on the East Midlands area.

Dr Crook, 60, said: "He chatted to a couple of hundred people individually, which is quite amazing really.

"He spoke to each person for at least a couple of minutes.

"He asked me about what I have done and what I am interested in particularly and I told him the East Midlands. He also asked me if I had retired."

Dr Crook received his honour at the same time as Welsh golfer Ian Woosnam and he was next in line to ageing rocker Joe Cocker.

He travelled down to London for the day with his wife Ruth and sons Edward, 19, and Thomas, 14.

He said: "I was lucky to have great family back-up throughout my career. I worked very long days and I could not have done it without my wife.

"She did most of the organising for the day and I would not have got the award without her."

Dr Crook retired in June 2007 after a career archiving government documents beginning with the Domesday Book.

He said: "I enjoyed my job but I was glad to leave at the time I did.

"It was what I always wanted to do and to do it for a third of a century is no bad thing."

His retirement party was attended by former Monty Python star and fellow history enthusiast Terry Jones.

Dr Crook said: "Terry Jones happened to be in the area at the time and I invited him to stay and he did.

"We got a very nice picture of him with my son."

Click here to send a message of congratulation.