Archaeological Journal/Volume 2/Proceedings of the Central Committee (Part 4)

 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE.

July 7.

The Rev. F. T. Bayly, vicar of Brookthorpe, Gloucestershire, communicated a rubbing taken from an early incised slab, recently discovered in the church of St. Bride's, Glamorganshire. It measures in length 6 ft. 5 in., by 1 ft. 8 in. at the head, and 1 ft. 2 in. at the feet; the edge, is bevelled, measuring 2 in. and a half in width, and bears the following inscription: ✠ IOHAN : L𐌴 : BOTIL𐌴R : GIT : ICI : D𐌴U : D𐌴 : SĀ : ĀLM𐌴 : 𐌴IT : M𐌴RCI : AM𐌴N. He is represented with his legs crossed; he is armed in a hawberk and chausses of mail, and wears a long surcoat, open in front. The only portion of plate armour is a small scull-cap, or cerveliére, on the front of which appears a fleur-de-lis, between two covered cups, and the shield, which hangs over the left arm, is charged with three covered cups, the bearing of Botiler. The spurs have rowels, and the feet rest on a wivern. In the right hand he holds his sword, drawn and upraised, and there appears a wavy line or ridge along the middle of the blade, which is of very unusual occurrence. The fashion of ornamenting the head- piece with any heraldic device is also unusual, and the only example hitherto noticed is supplied by the monumental portraiture of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died A.D. 1149. That prince is represented as wearing a head-piece, similar in form to the Phrygian bonnet, and decorated with a golden lion, being part of the heraldic charge which is displayed upon his shield^[1]. A branch of the Butler family appears to have been settle! at Llaneltid, in Glamorganshire, not far distant from St. Bride's. "Johannes le Botiller, de Lanultyt" was knight of the shire, co. Gloucester, A.D. 1324, 17 Edw. II.^[2] The effigy, however, appears to be of earlier date, and exhibits the peculiarities assigned to the later part of the thirteenth century.

Mr. W. H. Clarke, of the Minster-yard, York, sent impressions of two coins of the usurper Carausius, which were discovered in a garden near Micklegate-bar, on Thursday, the 22nd, and Friday, the 23rd, of May. The first bears on one side the head of Carausius, and on the reverse LAETITIA. AVG., a woman standing, in her right hand a garland, in her left ears of corn. On the reverse of the second, FORTVNA AVG. Both examples occur in Akermann's larger work on Roman coins. Mr. Clarke forwarded also impressions of the following Roman coins found on the 30th of May last, in Cracer's-gardens, near Micklegate-bar, viz.:—One of Victorinus, rare, third brass, reverse VIRTVS AVG., a military figure standing: one of Constans: and a very small Constantine. These impressions were accompanied by one of a large coin of Allectus, recently found at Bishophill. In a subsequent letter to the secretary, Mr. Clarke enclosed impressions of several coins of William the Conqueror, and Rufus, discovered in digging the foundation of a house in Jubbergate, the ancient quarters of the Jews of York. They were found at the depth of six feet from the sur- face on Saturday, the 21st of June, and were in number about 300.

Mr. Hawkins observed that the type of these silver pennies of the Conqueror, with the exception of one as he had been informed, was that of 234 in the "Silver Coins of England," and that all he had been able to learn of the one exception, was, that the face was in profile. The whole number discovered was reported to be about 600, but Mr. Hawkins had been enabled to obtain a view of 167 pieces only; and he had communicated to the Numismatic Chronicle a list of the moneyers whose names are. not given by Ruding, about twenty-five in number. A single penny of the Confessor was discovered with these coins of William the Conqueror.

 

July 21.

Mr. Way read the following communication from the Rev. J. Graves, of Borris-in-Ossory, one of the Local Secretaries for Ireland:—"I have frequently observed in the low moory lands of the Queen's county, especially in the neighbourhood of bogs, heaps or mounds of various shapes and sizes, which appeared to be composed of small fragments of grit-stone, mixed with particles of charcoal. To myself, as well as to some intelligent friends with whom I conversed on the subject, these mounds appeared to be traces of the smelting of iron ore, with which the bogs in this neighbourhood are in many places charged, forming deposits of an ochry nature. One gentleman informed me that in the course of reclaiming some moory land he had removed a heap of this description, consisting of many hundred horse-loads of broken stones and charcoal.

"This conjecture was lately confirmed by personal inspection of a mound of this kind on the lands of Shanboe, near Borris-in-Ossory, on the verge of what once had been a turf-bog, which is now exhausted, or according to the country phrase, "cut out." The field had been tilled for potatoes, and the mound was cut through in various directions, so that I was enabled to make accurate observations on its composition. The greater portion of the mound was composed of fragments of the sandstone grit of the district, about the size of stones used on a Macadamised road. This grit, as to its geological character, belongs to the old sandstone formation. Mixed up with these broken stones were innumerable fragments of charcoal, and most of the pieces of stone shewed the decomposing effects of fire: this of itself would indicate that the fire had been formed for the purpose of burning or smelting some mineral substance. On closer examination I discovered many pieces of an ochry substance, resembling the ferruginous deposit frequently found in the neighbouring bogs, and amongst the rest a fused mass of clinkers, comprising fragments of sandstone, charcoal, and this bog-iron ore, which would go far to prove that these heaps are the residue of large fires, kindled for the purpose of smelting the bog-iron ore of the district, while the aboriginal forests, which as we know formerly covered this country, and probably the greater part of Ireland, afforded fuel. The sandstone might have been used for a fuse^[3], or perhaps in order to extract any iron with which the sandstone itself might be charged.

"The reason of my submitting this hurried notice to the Archæological Institute is my belief that these mounds afford proof of mining operations having been carried on in very remote times by the native Irish, for we must recollect that the Queen's county, the ancient district of Leix, was not made shire ground, or planted with English colonists, until after the year 1557, as appears by the Irish statute of the 3rd and 4th of Philip and Mary, chapters 1 and 2. (Rot. Parliament, ch. 7 and 8.) It is true that the smelting of iron was carried on in this district subsequently to that period, as Ledwich, in his survey of the parish of Oghavae, published in Mason's statistical work on Ireland, tells us, iron-works having been established by Sir Charles Coote at Mountrath, but it is not likely that the rude operations to which I have referred belong to that period; it appears much more probable that they were the work of the native Irish of the district anterior to the settlement of the English in those parts.

"That the native Irish carried on mining operations, even of more scientific character than these under notice, is certain: in the year 1770, in working the coal strata near Fairhead, in the neighbourhood of the Giant's Causeway, the miners broke into an old gallery, the walls of which were covered with stalactites, evidently of great age, and ancient mining tools were found therein^[4]. The residents in the district had never heard of a tradition of the mine having been anciently worked, and the excavation must have been made at a very remote period. About the year 1750, in working a copper mine at Killarney, ancient shafts and implements of mining were also found; and similar discoveries were made about the commencement of the seventeenth century in the lead mines of Knocaderry, since called 'the Silver Mines,' in the county Tipperary^[5]. It is true that in remote ages the Irish do not seem to have been acquainted with the use of iron, the swords and other implements found in tumuli and ancient burying places being invariably of bronze. But we find that the Irish had battle-axes of steel so early as the English invasion, during the reign of Henry II., as testified by Giraldus Cambrensis, (Dist. iii. cap. 10,) who asserts that they derived them from the Danes; but even supposing this to have been the case, it is more than probable that a people who were acquainted with the working of coal, and copper, and lead mines, could not be ignorant of the mode of smelting iron."

The Rev. R. C. Boutell, of Sandridge, Herts, Local Secretary, communicated a notice and drawing of a mural painting representing the incredulity of St. Thomas, recently discovered in the abbey church of St. Alban's. It is executed upon one of the large Norman buttress-strips in the interior of the north transept, on its eastern side. Its size is 8ft. 10 in. by 5ft. 10 in. The heads are very good. St. Thomas has a blue robe, and a crimson or rather scarlet mantle: the figure of the Saviour is habited in a whitish-grey vestment, fastened by a golden morse. The nimbus around either head has been gilt. The small banner is charged with a red cross. The architecture, which is of a bluish-grey tint, is now very imperfect, though clearly distinguishable. The subject is painted on a red ground, apparently semèe with crowns of thorns. The pavement is a pattern of yellow and blue tiles, with a few of a brown tint. The tiles in the angles are brown.

 

August 4.

The Rev. R. Vernon Whitby, of Osbaston Lodge, Hinckley, presented two fac-similes of sepulchral brasses existing at Sawtrey, All Saints' church, Huntingdonshire. They represent a knight and a lady; the figures measure in length about 4 ft. 5 in., the costume and general design' present several features of similarity to those exhibited by the brasses of Thomas Beauchamp, at Warwick, (A.D. 1401,) and Robert, lord Ferrers at Merevale, (A.D. 1407.) The knight is armed with the basinet and camail;

MURAL PAINTING OF ST. THOMAS, ABBEY CHDRCH, ST ALBANS.

under his head is a heaume surmounted with the Stourton crest, a demi-figure of a monk, the head covered with a cowl, brandishing a scourge of six knotted cords. He wears a close-fitting jupon with the edge escalloped, and a cingulum across the hips. The head-dress of the lady affords a good example of the crespine, or reticulated caul in which the hair was enclosed; and over this is thrown a coverchief. A portion of the inscription still remains, by which we learn that the date of the knight's death was 1404, and that the name of his wife was Maria. Mens' Aprilis An° dni M°. CCCC°. iiij. et Maria ux' cius quor Ame'.

Inscribed stone near Fowey.

The Rev. William Haslam, of St. Perran-zabuloe, communicated a sketch of an early inscribed memorial, which now stands on the left hand of the road, about a mile distant from Fowey. The only approach to that ancient town, as Mr. Haslam described it, is a narrow winding road with spaces or recesses cut out of the hedge, at intervals of 100 or 150 yards, to allow one cart to draw out of the track while another passes it. This stone was noticed by Leland, who gave a reading very different from that which has been proposed by Lluyd and Borlase^[6]. It formerly stood near the four crossways, north of Fowey, and, when seen by Borlase, lay in a ditch in the way from that place to Castledôr. It is a rough slab of granite, measuring about 8 ft. above the level of the ground, about 1 ft. in width, and 1 ft. in thickness. The inscription may be thus read: SIRVSIVS HIC IACET CVNOWR FILIVS. Lluyd proposed the reading CVNOMOR. At the top there is a sort of mortice in which Mr. Haslam imagined that a cross might have been fixed; and on the side opposite to that which bears the inscription, there is a small cross, carved in relief, as shewn in the woodcut. Borlase supposed that this memorial might have been erected in the seventh century.

Two singular personal seals were communicated. The Rev. John Horner, rector of Mells, Somersetshire, forwarded an impression from a matrix found at Mells. It is a seal of oval form, measuring 1 in. and a tenth by 9 tenths. The device is curious: it is composed of a kind of branch, terminating in large masses of leaves, over which is seen a human head, with a long beard, placed in a bowl, probably intended to represent the head of St. John the Baptist, in a charger; below is seen a lion, couchant. The legend runs thus: FRANGE . LEGE . TEGE. Immediately after each word there is a star, there is also a crescent and a star (not united) before the initial letter. Date, t. Edward III.?

The Rev. Daniel B. Langley, L.L.D., vicar of Olney, Bucks, sent an impression from a brass matrix of circular form, measuring in diameter 1 in., discovered at Lavendon, near Olney, not far from the ruins of the castle. In the centre there is a head seen full face, possibly intended to represent either the Saviour (the vernicle or verum icon) or the head of the Baptist. It is surrounded by four small busts, the faces in profile, each turned in a different direction to that which is placed opposite to it. The inscription is in English: * NON . SWILK : AS : I. (non such as I.) Date, 14th century?

Mr. Way read a letter from Dr. Travis, of Scarborough, respecting a gold torques ploughed up in the spring of 1843, in a field between the villages of Scalby and Combouts. This ornament, of which Dr. Travis forwarded a drawing, is twisted, with hooks at the extremities; thirty-five inches in length, (exclusive of the hooks, which are each one inch and a half long,) and one-sixth of an inch thick. It is of very pure gold, and weighs 21/2 oz. 1 dwt. By the liberal permission of Timothy Hardcastle, Esq., to whom it belongs, this torques is now deposited for inspection in the Scarborough museum. Representations of similar gold torques, discovered in Ireland, are given in the Vetusta Monumenta, vol. v. pl. 29. Dr. Travis added that many flint arrow-heads, and an urn containing calcined bones, were discovered at the same spot. The urn is figured in Archæologia, vol. xxx., with a description by Jabez Allies, Esq., F.S A.

Mr. Way read a letter from Monsign. C. L. Fisher, addressed to the Rev. J. L. Petit, to the following effect:—"Seeing that a report had been made to the Committee (Archæological Journal, No. vi. p. 197) by Mr. Minty, of Norwich, relative to the proposed destruction of an ancient building in that city, called the Strangers' Hall, for the purpose of erecting a convent on its site, I wrote to the Vicar Apostolic of the Eastern District, with whom I am personally acquainted, conceiving that my application would not bealtogether without success, should such demolition be really intended. His Lordship's answer is most satisfactory. The Bishop says:—'Mr. Minty's information is partly correct and partly not so. In April last it was proposed to remodel and improve the Catholic property in Norwich. In my instructions and directions to the architect, I specially stipulated that the old hall, with its valuable specimens of architecture, should be retained, and made very available, without any dilapidation. Since then other plans have been proposed, viz., to build on a new site. At all events these interesting architectural remains, with which I am well acquainted, shall not be destroyed with my consent.' I should suppose this answer will be interesting to Mr. Minty and to the Committee, and perhaps you will have the goodness to let them know that the building is safe, and will, probably, be well and judiciously restored, if the design of attaching it to the proposed convent be acted upon."

St. George, Ruardean.

Mr. Way laid before the Committee a sketch of the sculptured tympanum of the south door of Ruardean church, Gloucestershire, to which his attention had been called by Sir Samuel Meyrick, on account of the curious features of costume which it presents. It appears to have been sculptured in the earlier part of the twelfth century, and is very similar to the contemporary work, of which a representation, communicated by the Rev. R. Freer, had been given in the Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 271. The figure appears to represent St. George, his head protected by a head-piece of the form termed Phrygian, precisely similar to that which appears in the monumental portraiture of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died A.D. 1149^[7]. He is represented as attired in a tunic, open at the side and fitting closely to the body, as if girt around the waist; over this is seen a flowing mantle, fastened on the breast by a brooch. The prick spur has a recurved point, without any neck. There is a poitrail, or strap, around the breast of the horse, and the cantel of the saddle is high. The tunic and mantle appear likewise in the portraiture of Geoffrey le Bel, the latter being of very unusual occurrence in connection with any features of military costume. The mode in which the drapery is treated, the folds being represented by parallel rolls, of almost equal breadth throughout their length, seems to characterize the rude sculpture of the twelfth century, of which several singular examples occur in Herefordshire and the neighbouring counties.

The Rev. John Horner, rector of Mells, Somerset, communicated a drawing of a mural painting recently discovered on the north wall of a chantry chapel, adjoining to the chancel of Mells church, and separated both from the chancel and north aisle by parclose screens. The painting, of which a representation is here given, was found in the western corner of this chapel, the faces of the figures being turned towards the east. On the removal of the first coats of whitewash the walls were found to have been entirely covered with texts of Scripture, probably inscribed thereon during the time of Edward VI.; these passages of Holy Writ were not found to correspond with any version known to Mr. Horner. On removing the surface whereon these had been painted, the original colouring of the walls appeared; and behind a large mural tablet the figures here given were discovered; the lower portion of the subject had been cut away in order to fix the tablet to the wall. The words inscribed above appear to have no reference to the figures. This chantry was an addition to the original fabric of the church, but it is not known by any distinctive name. Traces of colour may be found in all parts of the church: the upper walls of the south aisle were decorated with yellow stars on a red ground, and the pillars had evidently been covered over with arabesque ornaments. Over the north door are to be traced some remains of a figure of St. Christopher, and adjoining to it is a diminutive grotesque figure. The two figures here represented appear to have been intended to pourtray Aquila and Priscilla, distinguished by the symbol of a shoemaker's rule^[8]; usually each of them holds a sword, in allusion to their martyrdom. They are mentioned in Acts xviii. 2, as tent-makers by occupation, and the object resembling a shoemaker's measure was doubtless originally intended to represent some implement of their craft.

 

August 25.

Mr. J. G. Jackson, of Leamington, communicated sketches of the interesting tombs discovered behind the wainscot in St. Stephen's church, Bristol. Of one of these an account had been received from Mr. Wreford, on Aug. 28, 1844^[9]. These memorials will be more fully noticed hereafter in the Archæological Journal.

Steel Scissor-case.

Mr. Hodgkinson, of East Acton, sent for exhibition a steel scissor-case, elaborately engraved, date about the end of the sixteenth century. It was dug up some years ago in forming a sewer in the neighbourhood of the Seven Dials, a spot reputed to have been used as a burial-place during the plague. The following legend is engraved on the cover: AV. TOVRNOVIS, VOVIS. IE. LORE. OV. IE. MOVRE. Sir Frederick Madden conjectures that it may be rendered thus: At the tournament may I behold Laura or I shall die.

Mr. Spencer Smith sent for exhibition twelve Roman silver coins, discovered some years since in digging the foundation of Gillows' upholstery warehouse in Oxford-street. They were ordinary types of Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninus Pius, Gratian, Valens, and Julian the Apostate. It was observed that few coins, or other antiquities, had been found in that part of London.

Mr. Jackson, Secretary of the Architectural Committee of the Warwickshire Archæological Society, communicated a plan and several drawings, representing the desecrated church of St. Michael, in Saltisford, the suburb of Warwick on the north side of the town. The rector of this church was anciently presented by the dean of the Collegiate church of the Virgin Mary, and in 19 Edw. I. it appears that the canons had a portion out of it, a small sum being also reserved for the lepers in the hospital there. In the reign of Edw. III. the parishioners had greatly decreased in number, and the yearly revenue having been reduced almost to nothing, the church became ruinous. Leland notices "the Chappel of St. Michaell, where sometime was a Colledge, havinge a Maister et confratres, but nowe it is taken as a Free-Chappell. The Kinge giveth it. The buildinges of the House are sore decayed^[10]." Amongst the Collections in the possession of William Staunton, Esq., of Longbridge, there is a "Certificat of all Chauntryes and Hospitalls, Colleges, Free Chapells, Fraternities, &c. within the Countie of Warr', 37 Hen. VIII.," which was examined by Dugdale, who gives an account of the foundation of this hospital in the twelfth century, a list of the guardians, and states that it had fallen into a very reduced state.

East end.

Elevation of the North side.

Ground Plan.

The remains of St. Michael's church, after having been converted into a dwelling house and blacksmith's shop, were finally overbuilt in a row of houses, in the year 1819, and concealed from view: the point of the western gable may still be seen from the road, and the east end of the building is visible in the yard behind. The tracery in the east window has been cut away, but there are evidences which may suffice to supply a restoration: on the north side there was a small doorway, and a window of two lights. The dimensions of this little building are about 30 ft. by 17 ft., and the height within, from the floor to the ceiling, 18 ft. 6 in. The ceiling was panelled, and bosses ornamented with escutcheons covered the intersections of the framing, but no armorial bearings are now to be distinguished. It would be difficult to find a more sad example of desecration than the church of St. Michael in its present state.

IN THE COLLECTIONS AT LONGBRIDGE.

"Hospi- tale Sancti Michaelis in Villa Warr'.	Valet in	$\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$	Redditibus et firmis omnium terrarum et tene- mentorum predicto Hospitali pertinentibus sol- vendis ad festa Annuntiationis beate Marie Virginis et Sancti Michaelis Archangeli equa- liter prout per Rentale inde factum et reno- vatum particulariter apparet per annum.				$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$	l. xii	s. xi	d. vi
	Re- prisæ viz. in	$\scriptstyle {\left\{{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right.}$	Redditu resoluto domino Regi ut in jure nuper monasterii Sancti Sepul- chri v.s eidem domino Regi ratione dissolutionis nuper collegii beate Ma- rie vis. viijd. ville Warr' in toto per annum.	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$	s. xi	d. viii	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$	s. xxxi.	d. viii.
			Decimis domino Regi annualiter so- lutis, per annum	$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$	xxs.
			O. Remanent clare per annum xl. xixs. xd.

The seyd Hospytall hathe no foundacyon but as yt ys deposed was founded by a Kyng to thentent to geve Almous wekely to the pore and also to barber them, howe be yt the seyde Master ys not resydent there but as yt ys seyde hathe dymysed same Hospytall w^t all rents and profFytts there unto belongyng to one Rycharde ffysher by lease paying therefore by yere but x^li. notw^tstandyng the same fermor dothe destrybute wekelye to the pore peaple viii^d and fyndythe iiii^or beddes to lodge the seyd pore and also gevythe to a certayne pore woman attendyng upon the seyde pore men and makyng there bedds wekely viii^d. And the Inventory of there goods and ornaments to the same belongyng hereafter dothe appere."

The Rev. Charles Boutell, of Sandridge, Herts, Local Secretary, exhibited the brass matrix of a personal seal of the fifteenth century, recently found on Bernard's Heath, the field of the first battle of St. Alban's, A.D. 1455, and now in the possession of the Architectural Society of St. Alban's. The device is an eagle pouncing upon a hare, with the legend ALA IE SV PRIS. Mr. Boutell also presented a rubbing of a sepulchral brass of the fifteenth century, lately discovered in clearing the basement-course on the exterior of the church of Abbot's Langley, Herts. It represents a civilian, his wife and children, in the ordinary costume of the period.

The Rev. W. H. Gunner, Local Secretary at Winchester, forwarded for the inspection of the Committee, a gold ecclesiastical ring of the fifteenth century, recently turned up by the harrow in a field at Chilcomb, near Winchester.

Mr. Gunner also informed the Committee that in digging the foundations of the new church of St. Thomas, in Winchester, which are of considerable extent, and of great depth, a number of deep holes, apparently old wells, filled up with loose soil, were found, in which were a few coins, chiefly English, but among them several Roman. One of the English pieces was laid on the table, and proved to be a penny of Henry the Third, struck at Durham. It was suggested that the cavities to which Mr. Gunner alluded were the remains of ancient granaries.

The Rev. Arthur Hussey, of Rottingdean, stated in a letter to the Secretary, that there is a family at Chiddingfold, in Surrey, (a parish near the borders of the county, between Godalming and Petworth,) who claim to be of uninterrupted Saxon descent, and not merely to have held the property on which they reside from the period of Saxon ascendancy, but also to possess a deed which is dated before the Conquest. Mr. Hussey mentioned that his information was derived partly from private intelligence, and partly from Cart- wright's and Dallaway's History of the Rape of Arundel, (note to p. 363,) and that his object in calling attention to the subject was to suggest the expediency of making inquiries upon the spot, should any opportunity occur.

Mr. Beck, of Esthwaite Lodge, Ambleside, Local Secretary, transmitted a drawing of the fragments of an inscribed stone, which were discovered by him, a few years since, in excavating the site of a Roman encampment, supposed to be the ancient Dictis, at the head of Windermere, in Westmoreland. The slab is of limestone, about four inches and a half in thickness, and was found among the ruins of the rampart at the south-east angle of the parallelogram. The inscription is very imperfect, but Mr. Beck stated that he would endeavour to obtain the remainder of the stone in future excavations, and that he hoped to be able, in a short time, to send a plan of the encampment and some observations upon it.

Dr. Richardson, of Haslar Hospital, exhibited, by Mr. Birch, a small engraved onyx, representing Mars gradivus, found in the Sochar moss, near Dumfries, at Mansewold, north of the Roman wall, and close to a Roman station. A large oak tree, with its roots striking down through the sand to a substratum of clay, was discovered in cutting a drain through this moss and near it was found an iron hatchet, apparently of no great antiquity. The moss varied in depth from 20 to 25 feet, and was filled with roots of trees embedded in sand resting upon clay. A block, such as is used in the rigging of a ship, was dug up in the sand stratum.

 

OCTOBER 6.

Mr. Clement Smythe, of Maidstone, communicated, through Dr. Bromet an abstract of the will of Richard Marley, of the parish of Holy-cross, Canterbury, dated 12th of June, 1521. He desires to be buried in the churchyard there, "afore the crucifix of our Lord, as nigh the coming in of the north door as conveniently may be:" mentions the brotherhood of the holv cross, and the three altars in the said church. Wills that his executors "shall cause to be gylt well and workmanly the crucifix of our Lord with the Mary and John standing upon the porch of the said north door." The testator alludes to the pictures of "our lady of Pite," and of St. Erasmus in the said church, and bequeaths five shillings "towards the setting up of a new Rode Loft" therein.

Mr. Hodgkinson, of East Acton, sent for the inspection of the Committee a gold ring, engraved, both in the interior and on the exterior, with cabalistic characters; date about the middle of the fourteenth century. It was discovered in a creek of the Thames, in the parish of Fulham.

The Rev. E. B. Dean, vicar of Lewknor, Oxon, exhibited rubbings from two small brasses in the church of Stokenchurch, Oxon, which are remarkable for the late use of Norman-French in inscriptions. They represent the effigies of two knights of the same name and family, Robert Morle, descendants probably of Geoffrey de Morle, who, 16 Edw. II., made over to Geoffrey Haumon and Margaret de Morleye, messuages, lands, and rents in Nethercote, Lewknor, and Aston, of which latter parish Stokenchurch was, until very recently, a hamlet. The two brasses almost exactly correspond, and were doubtless engraved by the same hand. Each knight is represented in plate armour, with roundels at the elbows, a skirt of taces, sword and dagger at the sides, and the hands joined in the attitude of prayer. The following inscriptions appear below the figures:—

De terre ico fuy fourme et en terre suy retourne Roberd Morle iadis nome dieu de salme eit pite q' murust lan de g^ace m'cccc^ox^o.

De terre ico fuy fourme et en terre suy retourne Robert Morle iadis nome dieu de salme eit pite q' murust lan de g^ace m'cccc^oxij^o.

These knights were probably of the ancient family of Morle of Morle in Norfolk, much distinguished in the French wars of Edward III. and Henry V., who bore for their arms "Argent a lion rampant sable, armed and crowned or." The original bearing had the lion without the crown, the assumption of which at the siege of Calais, temp. Edw. III., by Sir Robert de Morle, or Morley, called forth a challenge from Nicholas lord Burnell; on which occasion it appears to have been decreed by the marshal to Robert de Morle for his life. At a subsequent period it was again challenged by lord Lovell, who had succeeded to the estates and arms of the lords Burnell, when Thomas de Morley, then marshal of Ireland, pleaded the decision in favour of his ancestor. From the sequel it would seem that he had gained his cause, for the descendants of the Morleys ever after bore these arms, whereas the Lovells enclosed their lion within a bordure azure^[11]. In point of fact the real arms of Morle or Morley were sable a lion rampant argent, as we find in the roll of arms, temp. Edw. III., published by Sir Harris Nicolas.

Whether the Robert Morles commemorated by these brasses were of this family or not does not plainly appear. The following entries occur in the Inquisitiones post mortem:—

3 Hen. V. Robertus Morle Chivaler. 1416. Morle maner', &c. Norfolk.

4 Hen. V. (1417). Thomas de Morle chivaler. Morle maner.'

6 Hen. V. Robertus Morle frater et hæres Thomæ Morley Militis. Morley maner.'

Mr. Way exhibited the fowing Roman coins transmitted to him by Mr. W. H. Clarke, and found at York in 1844, 5.

Three coins of the Scribonia family.

BONEVENT LIBO a young head bound with diadem, to the right.

Rev. rVTEAL SCRIBON Altar with festoon; at each angle a lyre.

Another. A third in less good condition.

A coin of the Sentia family. Head to the left in Phrygian helmet.

Rev. L. SATVRN Saturn to the right driving a quadriga citata, holding in right hand a scythe, under the horses C. This letter is an unusual mint mark.

Three coins of the Vibia family.

rANSA Female head to the right bound with cars of corn, in front lamp as mint mark. Rev. C. VIBIV. SC Mars armed in a quadriga citata, to the right.

The same, in front of the head Ʞ as mint mark. The mint mark on this coin is rare.

The same, no mint mark or adjunct.

IMPERIAL.

Titus. Rev. figure of Pax seated to the left.

Antoninus Pius. Rev. BOS. IIII. Two joined hands holding caduceus and ears of corn.

M. Aurelius. Rev. COS. II. Figure of Pax standing.

Geta. Rev. MARTI VICTORI. Mars with trophy and spear.

 

October 29.

Mr. Way read a communication from the Rev. J. Graves, of Borris in Ossory, Local Secretary, suggested by Mr. Du Noyer's paper on the cross-legged sepulchral effigies existing at Cashel, published in the 5th No. of the Archæological Journal. Mr. Graves observed that it had been stated (in a note, p. 126) that one other cross-legged effigy only has been described as existing in Ireland. "This statement is, I believe, correct; I am confident, however, that many such effigies do exist, unknown and undescribed. For example, in the county of Kilkenny two such monumental figures can be pointed out: one of these is built into the wall of the Roman Catholic chapel at Graignemagh, a town situate on the river Barrow, and in the barony of Gowran. An abbey was founded there for Cistercian monks by William Marescall, the elder, earl of Pembroke, in the early part of the thirteenth century^[12]. Of this abbey extensive remains of singular beauty existed until some years since, when the site having been given by the lord of the soil in order to erect a place of worship for the Roman Catholics of the parish, most part of the abbey was pulled down, and the portion spared was barbarously disfigured. Into the wall of this building the slab bearing the cross-legged effigy has been inserted in an upright position; the figure is larger than life, and represents a knight clad in a complete suit of mailed armour, over which a surcoat, fitting closely about the throat, is worn; the right hand grasps the swordhilt, as if in the act of drawing it, while the scabbard is held by the left hand; a broad belt attached to the scabbard, and buckled in front, sustains the sword. I am unable to describe the kind of spur, as the lower portion of the figure is lost; a fracture also extends across the waist. There is no clue to be drawn from history or tradition as to the individual in memory of whom this sculpture was placed in the abbey of Graignemagh; but that its date should be assigned to the early part of the thirteenth century, or at furthest to the middle of that era, may be concluded from the character of the armour; it is very rudely carved in high relief, the left leg of the figure is thrown over the right, and the mailed defence of the head is conformable to the globular shape of the skull. The material is a fine-grained limestone.

"The parish church of Kilfane is situate in the barony of Gowran and county of Kilkenny, about six miles south-west of Graignemagh: some years since it was deemed necessary to erect a new church, and the old building was dismantled. On removing the floor a cross-legged effigy in excellent preservation was discovered at the eastern end of the church: the figure is larger than life, measuring in length seven feet ten inches. The body is defended by a complete suit of mailed armour, the head and throat being covered by the chaperon of mail, which is somewhat flattened at top, presenting the appearance of a slightly elevated cone: a triangular shield is borne on the left side, supported by the guige passing over the right shoulder; it measures three feet four inches in length, and is charged with the arms of the Cantwell, or De Cantaville family^[13], viz. a canton ermine, four annulets: these bearings are carved in relief. A surcoat is worn as usual over the hauberk, confined by the sword-belt at the waist; the right arm is extended by the side, and the right leg crossed over the left; on the heel may be seen a spur with a broad rowel; the end of the sword appears from between the legs as if placed under the figure.

"This effigy is well sculptured, apparently in the dark fine-grained limestone of the district commonly called Kilkenny marble: the contour of the head and neck is fine, the legs and feet are also well formed, and the folds of the surcoat are disposed with freedom and elegance; but it may be remarked that the shoulders are rather narrow for the height of the figure, and that the right arm is badly designed. The whole figure is carved in very high relief, and, as will be seen by the foregoing description, presents in a great measure the same characteristics as that of the knight given by Mr. Du Noyer; it may therefore be referred to the latter part of the thirteenth century, and is probably coeval with the walls of the church, as the still remaining, though much mutilated, sedilia in the Early English style would serve to shew.

"By an inquisition post mortem taken the 6th of Sept. 1637, (old style,) it appears that John Cantewell of Cantewell's Court was seized, amongst other proprietors, of the castles and lands of Kilfane, Stroan, and Cloghscreggie^[14], which were held of the king in capite by knight's service; and that this monumental effigy was erected to the memory of a member of that family, there can be no doubt from the arms borne on the shield.

"The De Cantavilles were originally of Norman extraction; and we find the name of Thomas de Kentewalle amongst the witnesses to a grant made to his town of Gowran by Theobald Walter, who was appointed chief butler of Ireland by Henry II. about the year 1177; (see Introduction to Carte's Life of James Duke of Ormonde.) By a patent roll of the eleventh year of Edward II., (1317.) we find that a Thomas de Cantewelle was empowered to treat with the felons (meaning the Irish) of the cantred of Odogh, now the barony of Fassadineen in the county of Kilkenny. This Thomas lived to be an old man, for by a patent roll of the thirteenth of the same king he was exempted from attending at assizes, "being worn out with age." In the fifth year of Richard II. (1382) licence was granted to Thomas Derkyn and Walter Cantewell, "living in the marches of Ballygaveran in front of the Irish enemies Mc Morough and O'Nolan, to treat for themselves, their tenants, and followers^[15];" this Walter was probably grandson to the Thomas above-mentioned; his castles of Stroan and Cloghscreggie were on the verge of the barony of Gowran, here called Ballygaveran, the "marches" of the English pale as bordering on that part of the county of Carlow, then possessed by the Irish septs of the Mc Moroughs, or Cavaughs, and O'Nolans, between whom and the English settlers a constant warfare was maintained.

"In the year 1409, the 18th of March, we find the custody of the lands, &c. "of Robert, son and heir of Walter Cantewell in Rathcoull and Strowan, committed, rent free, to Richard and Thomas Cantewell;" and on the 16th of December of the same year, on this Robert Cantewell's coming of age, "all the lands, tenements, &c. in Rathcoull and Strowan, in the county of Kilkenny, then in the king's hands," were released to him^[16].

"That the cross-legged effigy in Kilfane church was erected there in memory of the immediate predecessor of the Thomas de Cantewelle who was an old man in 1319, seems probable from the reasons above mentioned; from the entire absence of plate armour it cannot have belonged to Thomas himself. It is probably the work of a foreign artist, though perhaps executed in Ireland."

 

Nov. 10.

Mr. Preston, of Flashy Hall, near Skipton, exhibited through Mr. Hailstone, Local Secretary, the brass matrix of the personal seal of William Graindehorge, date, 13th century, found in 1843 at Flasby, near Gargrave. The family of Graindehorge, Grandorge, or de Grano-hordei, a remarkable name which existed in Craven until the last century, were settled at Flasby as early as the reign of Stephen. They were great benefactors to the abbey of Furness, which acquired by their devotion the extensive manor of Winterburn, and lands at Flasby, a township in the parish of Gargrave. Dr. Whitaker says that they bore in allusion to their name, three ears of barley, "a bearing which appears on several seals yet appendant to their charters at Bolton Abbey^[17]."

These deeds, however, must be of comparatively recent date, as the charter whereby William son of William Graindorge confirmed his father's grant of Winterburn to the monks of Furness, circa 1227, has a seal appendant with the device of a lion passant guardant, the legend being ✠ SIGILL' : WILL' : FILL': WILL' : GRAINDORGE. Mr. Beck has printed the charter and given an engraving of the seal, in his elaborate work on the History of Furness Abbey, p. 189. It appears highly probable that the seal in the possession of Mr. Preston, of which a cut is annexed, belonged to the same William, as it was by no means uncommon for the same individual to use seals with different devices. This William Graindorge was buried in Furness Abbey, where an incised slab which probably covered his grave yet exists. An engraving of it will be found in the Annales Furnesienses, p. 387. Mr. Auldjo communicated facsimiles of the ornaments and inscriptions which appear upon a portion of a sculptured cross now to be seen in the Relig Orain, or Chapel of St. Orain, at Iona. It supplies a characteristic example of the decorations generally found on the tombs and sculptured remains at Iona; and it is the only remnant of a cross on which there is a date. No other fragments of this cross are now to be found, but they are probably concealed amongst the rubbish which encumbers these ruins. The inscription may be read as follows. ✠ HEC : EST : CRVX : LAUCLANNI : MAIC : FINGONE : ƐT : ƐIUS : FILII : JOHANNIS : ABBATIS: DE : HY FACTA : ANNO : DOMINI : M^o. CCCC^o. LXXX^o. IX^o. Beneath is seen a galley, considered to be the ancient device of the kings of Man of the Norwegian race, and retained as one of the quarterings of the coat of Mackinnon. John Mac Fingone, abbot of Iona, died A.D. 1500, and his monumental effigy lay near the altar in the cathedral church^[18]. Mr. Auldjo reported that the tombs and remains of sculpture at Iona had greatly suffered from wanton injuries, and that although precautions had been taken to put a stop to the work of destruction, much remains to be done for the preservation of these interesting ruins, some portions of the walls and arches being in a state of dangerous decay. Mr. Auldjo expressed the hope that the attention of the Duke

SCULPTURED CROSS AT IONA.

of Argyle might be directed to the desecrated state of these remains, and that the people of the island might no longer be permitted to make interments, by which the resting place of the kings of Scotland, Norway, and Ireland, has constantly been disturbed.

Mr. Way read a letter from the Rev. J. Graves, of Borris-in-Ossory, Local Secretary, in reference to the paper in the 7th number of the Archæological Journal on "The ancient Oratories of Cornwall" by the Rev. W. Haslam. Mr. Graves observed that it was "a subject most interesting to an Irishman, as it shewed the identity of the ancient ecclesiastical architecture of Ireland, and of the countries converted by her missionary sons. At page 229 there is a trifling error which I am sure the author will allow me to correct; in observing on the analogy between the sculptures of St. Piran's in the sands, and those of Clonmacnoise, he states that the latter is 'supposed to have been founded by St. Piran.' Now Clonmacnoise was founded by a St. Ciaran or Kyran, but not the Saint of Saiger or Seir Kyran, the founder of St. Piran's. The founder of Clonmacnoise is termed in the Irish annals "the son of the carpenter" to distinguish him from his elder namesake of Seir Kyran. Kyran of Clonmacnoise was simply an abbot, Kyran of Seir Kyran was a bishop as well as abbot. The monastery of Clonmacnoise was founded in the middle of the sixth century, Kyran of Saiger by the latest accounts died in the middle of the fifth century. I think it probable that Mr. Haslam is right in assigning the date of the oratory of St. Piran in the sands, to the fifth century; but as it is a disputed point among Irish hagiologists, whether St. Kyran died at Saiger or in Cornwall, it would be interesting to know on what day his festival is celebrated at St. Piran's, as, if it coincided with the day observed at Seir Kyran's, (5th of March,) such a fact, together with the tradition of his tomb being there, would go far to prove that Kyran of Saiger died at St. Piran's."

Mr. Whincopp, of Woodbridge, Suffolk, sent for exhibition three silver ear-rings, discovered in Norfolk. Two of these, forming a pair, are almost precisely similar to some golden ear-rings preserved amongst the Egyptian antiquities in the British Museum. The third, which is apparently the least ancient of these ornaments, was found at Thetford, it is in the form of a serpent, the weight is 72 gr., and the weight of each of the smaller rings is 72 gr. The annexed woodcuts, representing these singular ornaments, shew the precise dimensions of the originals.

 

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BOOKS, PRINTS, AND ANTIQUITIES PRESENTED TO THE INSTITUTE.

By Mr. Richard Gale, of Winchester, a plan of the city of Winchester. By Mr. Albert Way, Sepulchral Monuments, &c.; by the Rev. C. H. Hartshorne, M.A.; Account of the painted chamber in the royal Palace at Westminster, by John Gage Rokewode, Esq., Dir.S.A., fol. 1842; engraved portraits of Philip and Mary, (published by the Granger Society,) portraits of John Talbot, earl of Shrewsbury, and his Lady, and an engraving from a sepulchral brass in Stoke Fleming church, Devonshire; Cotgrave's French and English Dictionary, 1650, fol.; A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, by Francis Grose, 1776, 4to.; A Critical Inquiry into Ancient Armour, &c. by Sir Samuel R. Meyrick, 2nd. ed., 1842, fol. By Mr. Boyle:—Salmon's Chronological Historian, 1723, 8vo.; The Ornaments of Churches considered, &.c. 1761, 4to.; Archæologia, vol. I. 1770, 4to.; The History and Antiquities of the Abbey and Borough of Evesham, by W. Tindal, M.A., 1794, 4to.; Burton's History of Leicestershire, fol. imperfect, the missing portions supplied in the hand-writing of Francis Peck, the antiquary of Stamford; History and Topography of the Isle of Axholme, by the Rev. W. B. Stonehouse, M.A., 1839, 4to.; Sandford's Genealogical History of the Kings of England, 1677, fol.; Lodge's Life of Sir Julius Cæsar, Knt, &c., 1810, 4to. By Mr. J. H. Parker:—A Glossary of Terms used in Architecture, 2 vols. 8vo., 1845; Account of the Abbey Church at Dorchester. 1845, 8vo., published by the Oxford Society for promoting the study of Gothic Architecture; The Architectural History of Canterbury Cathedral, by the Rev. R. Willis, M.A., &c., 1845, 8vo.; Churches not to be violated, written by Sir Henry Spelman, Knt., reprint, 1841, 16mo.; The Rich Man's Duty to contribute liberally to the Building &c. of Churches, by Edward Wells, D.D., and the Journal of William Dowsing, of Stratford, Parliamentary Visitor for demolishing the superstitious pictures and ornaments of Churches, &c., within the county of Suffolk, in the years 1643, 1644, reprint, 1840, 16mo. By the Author:—A Guide through the Town of Shrewsbury, 1845, 16mo. By the Rev. C. Lukis:—Representations of Church Plate, printed in gold and silver. By the Editor; Documents illustrative of English History, in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth centuries, selected from the Records of the Department of the Queen's Remembrancer of the Exchequer, and edited by Henry Cole, assistant keeper of the Public Records, 1844, fol. By George Bowyer, Esq., D.C.L.:—Abingdon in 1644, a Lecture by H. G. Tomkins, 8vo. By F. Dickenson, Esq., M. P.:—The Pitney Pavement, &c., by Sir R. C. Hoare, 8vo. By J. B. Langhorne, Esq.:—Gale's Registrum Honoris de Richmond; fol., large paper, rare. By Messrs. Hodges and Smith:—A Grammar of the Irish Language, by John O'Donovan, 1845, 8vo. By the Author:—A concise Genealogical and Biographical History of England, by George Russell French, Architect, 1841, 8vo. By Henry Smith, Esq.:—Religio Medici &c., by Sir Thomas Browne, edited by Henry Gardiner, M.A.. of Exeter College Oxford; 1845, 8vo.

Bronze arrow-head of singular fashion, with the point bifid: discovered in 1844 in the lake of Monalty, co. Monaghan.

Presented by Evelyn Philip Shirley. Esq., M.P.

Matrix of the seal of the chantry founded at Wimborne, Dorset, by Thomas de Brembre, Dean of Wimborne, 1350. Engraved in Hutchins' Dorset.

Presented by the Rev. Robert Wickham, of Twyford, Hants.

Leaden matrix discovered at Dunwich, SIGILLVM PƐNITƐNCIARI IEROSOL'. Device, a patriarchal cross fitchée between two keys. A representation of it is given in the Archæologia, xxiii., 410.

Presented by Thomas Duffus Hardy, Esq.

Three ancient rings, one of silver, with this device, the letter W surmounted by a crown, date, I5th century. A small silver watch of early workmanship.

Presented by the Rev. Robert Wickham, of Twyford, Hants.

Impressions from sepulchral brasses.

Presented by Michael W. Boyle, Esq., Richard P. Pullan, Esq., Rev. R. Vernon Whitby, Rev. C. Boutell, John Lean, Esq., Mr. Hood, A. P. Moor, Esq., and Charles James, Esq.

Sixpence of the reign of Elizabeth, found with a large number of coins of that period, at Skibbereen.

Presented by the Rev. R. Webb.

A large collection of casts of ancient seals, including the Great Seals of England.

Presented by Edward Hailstone, Esq.

 

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The subjoined cut, forming the lower part of the inscription on a screen formerly in the church of Llanvair-Waterdine, Shropshire, was accidentally omitted in the last number. See p. 269.

 

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Queries.

Is there any early representation of St. Michael and the Dragon which exhibits the Saint as mounted on horseback?

Where is the remarkable enamelled reliquary in the form of a small chapel, formerly in the possession of Astle, now preserved? It was ornamented with Limoges work, and large pieces of rock crystal. Two representations of it are given in the Vetusta Monumenta.

1. Stothard's Monum. Effigies.
2. Parl. Writs.
3. I say this under correction, as I am not certain whether this description of stone is used to mix with iron ore for that purpose.
4. Professor Kanes' Industrial Resources of Ireland, second edition, Dublin, 1845, page 15.
5. Historical facts prefixed to Collection of Resolutions of the Volunteers of Ireland. Dublin, 1782, page lxxxi.
6. Leland, Itin. iii. 26; Borlase, p. 392; Moyle's Posthumous Works, i. 189.
7. See Stothard's Monum. Effigies. The general form of the armour on the head, as seen on the Great Seals of Stephen and Henry II., is of this Phrygian fashion.
8. Die Attribute der Heiligen, Hanov. 1843, v. Schumachergeräthe.
9. Archæological Journal, vol. i. p. 260.
10. Leland Itin. iv. part 2, f. 165 b.
11. History of Norfolk.
12. Monasticon Hibernicum, p. 352.
13. On the monument of Edmund Butler, Viscount Mountgarret, who died Decemb. 20, 1571, and which still exists in the cathedral of St. Canice, Kilkenny, is sculptured a shield charged with armorial bearings, and over it the single word "Cantewell." These bearings differ somewhat from the above, being on a field ermine, four annulets.
14. There are remains of castles still existing, both at Stroan and Cloghscreggie, in the immediate neighbourhood of Kilfane church.
15. Rot. Pat., 5 Rich. II., No. 160.
16. Rot. Pat., 10 Hen. IV., No. 46, et 2da pars, No. 48.
17. History of Craven.
18. Pennant's Tour in Scotland, pp. 286, 290, plate xxiv.