# Archaeological Journal/Volume 3/Archaeological Intelligence (Part 4)

Archaeological Intelligence.
PRIMEVAL PERIOD.
For the following description of a remarkable tumulus near Badbury camp, Dorset, we are indebted to Mr. John H. Austen, of Ensbury, Local Secretary of the Institute in that county.
"If I offered a conjecture upon its formation, I should say that the wall, and foot of the barrow, which is of chalk, were first made, and the area kept as a family burying-place. The interments, as above described, were placed at different intervals of time, covered with earth (not chalk) or flints, ​and protected by stones. And over the whole, at a later period, the barrow itself was probably formed. My reason for this opinion is, first, that all these deposits, including, as they do, the skeletons of three or four infants, could scarcely have been made at the same time. And in the second place there was not the slightest appearance (with one exception) of displacement of the stones or flints in any way. As these circumstances then would suggest that the interments were formed at various periods, so the general appearance leaves no doubt as to the superstructure of flints, and surface or form of the barrow itself having been made at the same time and not piecemeal.
"I have met with no instance of a British barrow containing any appearance of a wall having surrounded the interments. Pausanias, in speaking of a monument of Auge, the daughter of Aleus king of Arcadia, in Pergamus, which is above the river Caicus, says, 'this tomb is a heap of earth surrounded with a wall of stone.' And in the Saxon poem, 'Beowulf,' mention is made of a similar wall as surrounding the tomb of a warrior."
Some vestiges of Roman occupation, and apparently of a burial-place in Roman times, have been noticed by Mr. Austen about three quarters of a mile from Badbury camp, adjoining to the Roman road which passes through Badbury to Dorchester. He had recently found fragments of Roman pottery, and a bronze fibula at that spot, and was induced to suppose that the rude comb of bone, above mentioned, which' had been dug up near the same locality, might be of Roman rather than British origin.
We are enabled by the kindness of Mr. W. H. Gomonde, of Cheltenham, to give a representation of a very curious object, found on the skull of a skeleton, exhumed on Leckhampton hill, in the autumn of 1844, near to the site of a Roman camp. Mr. Gomonde writes as follows. "I beg to send a rough, though accurate, sketch of the curious skull-cap; the fact of its having been found near a Roman burying-ground makes it very interesting. The top is like the umbo of a shield similar to those found in Saxon tumuli." This singular relic is now in the possession of Captain Henry Bell; it is formed of bronze, the metal being pliable and thin, ill suited for the purpose of affording any protection against the stroke of a weapon. A portion of the chain remains, which passed under the chin, this when first found was perfect. Sir Samuel Meyrick considers this remarkable head-piece to be the British "Penffestyn." A discovery of similar character was made in 1844 at Souldern, Oxfordshire, near the line of the Portway. The skeleton lay extended W. by S. and E. by N., the head being to the former. Sir Henry ​Dryden has recorded the following particulars regarding this interment. "On the right side of its head lay a pair of bone ornaments two inches long, in shape four-sided cones, having on each side nine small engraved circles. At the small end of each is inserted an iron rivet, which is probably the remains of a hook for suspension, perhaps from the ear, by another brass ring. About the head were many fragments of thin brass (one part tin to seven parts copper) which when collected and put together form parts of two bands, the first of which is seven inches long and three-fourths wide, and has encircled the lower part of a leathern skull-cap. The edges of the leather and of this brass band were held together by a thin concave brass binding, in the hollow of which fragments of leather are still to be seen. On each side of the helmet, attached to the brass band, was an ornamental hinge for a chin-strap. Of the other band about 1 ft. 5 inches are existing, the whole of which is equal width, and one eighth narrower than the first. It was probably the binding of the edge of the helmet, where there would be a seam, or intended to encircle the helmet close above the other binding. On both these bands are rivets, which shew that the leather riveted was three sixteenths thick. Nothing else, according to my informants, was found with the skeleton." We are indebted for this curious relation to the interesting addition to the topography of Oxfordshire, compiled by Mr. William Wing, and regret that no representation of so singular a relic, which appears to have been precisely analogous to that communicated by Mr. Gomonde, should have been given. The urns found with and near to the skeleton at Souldern, as represented in Mr. Wing's history, from drawings by Sir Henry Dryden, are of a less rude character than the cinerary vessels of the earlier period. They resemble, in some striking particulars, the urns found in Nottinghamshire, and communicated to the Institute by Edward Strutt, Esq., M.P.
Mr. Gomonde has subsequently reported another discovery of an interment near the same spot. A human skeleton of ordinary stature was exposed to view, which having been deposited in clay was much decayed by the moisture of the soil. A remarkable appearance, however, presented itself in the clay surrounding the skull, which was full of iron studs, sufficiently indicating that the head had been protected by a cap of singular construction, having been covered all over with these iron studs. Mr. Gomonde with this account forwarded one of these for examination. Nothing else was found with the skeleton, but in the adjoining field were found remains of red pottery and three coins of Constantine, now in his possession, and all the fields around appeared to afford indications of early occupation, by popular tradition connected with them, their names, and general appearances. Various kinds of pottery, coins and other relics, are constantly dug up near this locality.
​A bronze spear-head, of very unusual form, discovered in the bed of the Severn, was communicated during the last year by Mr. Allies, Local Secretary of the Institute at Worcester. His vigilance in watching the operations, which have recently brought to light many curious remains from that depository, have enabled him to forward for inspection another bronze weapon of different form. Mr. Allies states that "it was dredged up from the bed of the river Severn by some workmen employed in the improvement of the navigation of that river, about a quarter of a mile below Kempsey Ferry, and the same distance above Pixam Ferry. They also found at the same spot, in the bed of the western side of the river, the remains of oaken piles, under the gravel, and of planking which had been fastened to the piles. These extended about half way across the river. The place is near the site of the Roman camp at Kempsey, described in my Antiquities of Worcestershire." This spear-head is formed of mixed metal of very bright colour, and hard quality, the edges being remarkably sharp. It measures, in length, 101/2 inches. The leaf-shaped blade terminates at the lower extremity in two loops, by means of which the spearhead apparently was securely attached to the shaft. This arrangement is not of uncommon occurrence, and it is well shewn by the curious example of a stone mould for casting such weapons, found in Ireland, in Galway, as also by an Irish weapon represented in this Journal. In the present instance there is a flat lozenge-shaped appendage on each side, a variety in the fashion of these weapons apparently intended for the more secure protection of the cord passing through the loops. In some examples a single loop on one side is found to have been accounted sufficient.
We would take this occasion of calling the attention of our readers, who may take an interest in such discoveries, to the valuable information which may result from watchful precaution for securing the ancient remains almost invariably found in the removal of the bed of a river, or any similar operation. The profusion of curious objects discovered in dredging in the Thames is well known, and the extensive collection formed by Dr. Hume, consisting of objects of every period found in the alluvial soil at Hoylake, near the mouth of the Dee, and exhibited at the meeting of the Institute at York, afforded a striking evidence of the importance of such depositories.
The bead here represented, is in the possession of Mr. Orlando Jewitt, Headington, Oxford, and, it is believed, was found in that neighbourhood. It was exhibited with the following notice: "The substance of ​the bead appears almost black, but, when held to the light, it is found to be a beautifully clear deep green glass; the surface of it is richly varied with splashes of white enamel mixed with blue, radiating from the centre and slightly contorted, particularly on the under side. The enamel penetrates some distance into the substance of the glass, and appears to have been thrown on to the mass while in a soft state; it was then probably slightly twisted and its globular form flattened down between two plain surfaces. It is not perforated, and there is only a very slight depression in the centre. Another bead of similar character was found near Adderbury, in the same county, and is engraved in Beesley's History of Banbury. It was discovered in the bed of a stream which flows near the British camp of Madmarston. The dimensions of it are rather larger than the annexed example: it is formed of the same clear green glass, and likewise marked with enamel, but the surface not so much covered. It is also imperforate and depressed in the centre. The Adderbury bead was formerly in the collection of the present Dean of Westminster, by whom it was deposited in the Ashmolean Museum.
In addition to the one just mentioned, the Ashmolean Museum contains a curious series of beads which belonged to the original collection of Elias Ashmole, or to those added by Dr. Plot. The localities where they were found are not mentioned. Among them is one very similar to the Adderbury bead, but perforated, and measuring 27/8 inches in diameter. The body of this is not of the same fine green as the two already described, but is more like the common modern bottle-glass; the markings are of white and blue enamel, similar to those of the others.
There are also two other imperforate beads or balls, one of which, measuring 21/8 inches in diameter, is of a smoke-coloured glass, looking almost black when not held to the light. This is ornamented with fourteen lines of white enamel, radiating in a spiral manner from the centre. The other is 11/2 inch in diameter, of a light brown glass, and ornamented with the radiating lines the same as the last, but in this some of the lines are red.
Among the perforated beads are many curious varieties and great diversity in the colour of the glass, but there are none entirely colourless, though some approach nearly to it. Some of the enamelled specimens are curious, being formed of concentric layers of different colours: the facets are cut across these, and thus produce a variety of waved lines. Another has an imitation of stones of different colour being set in studs on its surface, and a third is ornamented with small raised and twisted cord-work. Indeed the whole collection, from the diversity in form, material, colour and design which it exhibits, is well deserving of a careful examination." O.J.
SAXON, OR EARLY NORMAN PERIOD.
Mr. William Hylton Longstaff, of Darlington, has forwarded a copy from ​a sketch in his possession, of a sculptured stone of the same early period in Caermarthenshire, taken by his ancestor, John Dyer, the poet. It appears to have been the shaft of a cross, and, as stated in an accompanying note in the handwriting of the poet, was standing "on the estate of R. D., esq., called Abersannar, and is in a field called Kar Maen, that is, the Great Stone Field. On the top is carved a shallow bed, an inch and a half deep, in the centre of which is a hollow about three inches deep, both of an oblong square. Some think it an heathen altar of the earliest times, and that the middle hollow was to bind the victim at the sacrifice, but it seems too high for an altar, it being even now about seven feet above ground. It is of an exceeding hard flinty stone." The oblong hollow in question is evidently a mortice, by means of which the head of the cross was fixed in its place. The ornaments sculptured upon this shaft closely resemble those of the Penally crosses, noticed on a former occasion. In the centre there is an oblong panel, in which appear six letters. A representation of this inscription has been given in the additions to Camden's Britannia, but no explanation of its import has been supplied, and we have not been able to ascertain whether this monument is still in existence.
The sculptured remains of this description deserve careful examination, especially when they present any vestiges of inscriptions. We are indebted to Mr. Chalmers, of Auldbar, for a sketch of a fragment existing in the churchyard of St. Vigeans, Forfarshire, sculptured with interlaced scrollwork, and a defaced inscription, hitherto unexplained.
PERIOD OF GOTHIC ART.
In the last Number of the Archæological Journal, a representation was given of a curious inscribed ring, found in the church-yard at Bredicot, Worcestershire, and now in the possession of Mr. Jabez Allies. The statement then submitted to our readers that this object had been regarded as talismanic, has subsequently been called in question. The subject of the value attached to physical charms, during the middle ages, is well deserving of attention, and it has hitherto been imperfectly taken into consideration. It may not be without interest to our readers, if some observations be offered in proof of the talismanic character of the ring above mentioned, and other objects of a similar description. The custom of wearing some phrase or cabalistic combination of letters, either inscribed on parchment and paper, or more indelibly affixed to rings and other personal ornaments, is of considerable antiquity. Its origin may very probably be traced to the Gnostics, and to the legends on the strange devices known by the name of Abraxas, in which heathen and Christian allusions are strangely confounded together. It may now be impracticable to explain the import of the legends ​which occur upon certain medieval rings and devices, which probably are in many cases anagrammatic, and the original orthography of the legend corrupted and changed, in others. Other examples may be cited in which legends similar to that of the Bredicot ring occur, but more or less modified and varied. There can be little question that the same talismanic type is to be traced in the legend on a gold ring found in Rockingham forest in 1841, thus inscribed on the outer side, + GUTTV : GUTTA : MADROS : ĀDROS, and on the inner side, VDROS : UDROS ⁙ THEBAL. We are enabled by the kindness of the Rev. H. H. Knight, of Neath, Glamorganshire, to record the existence of another singular ring, bearing some of the same magical words. This ring is of gold, much bent and defaced: it was found some years since on the Glamorganshire coast, near to the Worms Head, the western extremity of the county, where numerous objects have at various times been found on the shifting of the sand, such as fire-arms, an astrolabe, and silver dollars. It has been supposed that these remains indicate the spot where a Spanish or Portuguese vessel was wrecked about 200 years since. Of this curious relic, communicated through the Rev. R. Gordon, a correct representation is here, by Mr. Knight's obliging permission, submitted to our readers. The talismanic character of these mysterious words seems to be sufficiently proved by comparison with the physical charms given in an English medical MS. preserved at Stockholm, and published by the Society of Antiquaries. Amongst various cabalistic prescriptions is found one, "for peynys in theth .... Boro berto briore + vulnera quinque dei sint medicina mei + Tahebal + ghether (or guthman) +++ Onthman," &c. The last word should probably be read Guthman, and it is succeeded by five crosses, possibly in allusion to the five wounds of the Saviour.
GOLD RING WITH TALISMANIC INSCRIPTION.
In ancient medicinal compilations numerous directions occur for the composition of amulets. The MSS. in the Sloane collection supply much information connected with the use of such written charms. The Stockholm MS., apparently of the latter part of the fourteenth century, informs us that ​the mystic word ANAMZAPTUS is a charm against epilepsy, if pronounced in a man's ear when he is fallen in the evil, and for a woman the prescribed formula is ANAMZAPTA. By this is ascertained the import of the following legend on an ancient ring—ihc T ananizapta + xpi + T. On another ring, found in Coventry Park, was read the same word, ANANYZAPTA, with various curious devices.
Before quitting this curious subject of the use of physical charms inscribed upon personal ornaments, it may not be irrelevant to recur to the elegant little brooch of gold, in the form of an A set with five gems, found near Devizes, and exhibited by Mr. Herbert Williams at the meeting of the Institute at Winchester. It bore on one side the letters A G L A, which occur as part of a physical charm against fevers in the Stockholm MS., with the sign of the cross between each letter, and succeeded by the names Jaspar, Melchysar, Baptizar. The same mysterious word is likewise found on a thin gold ring, discovered in a garden at Newark, about the year 1741, and thus inscribed—AGLA . THALCVT . CALCVT . CATTAMA.
The use of rings accounted to possess some talismanic virtue might be further shewn in regard to "the king's cramp rings," highly esteemed on the continent as well as in England, as we learn from a letter addressed to Ridley by Bishop Gardner, who designated them as endued by "the special gift of curation ministered to the kings of this realm." A more homely remedy for the same disorder is pointed out in "Withal's Little Dictionary."
"The bone of a haires foote closed in a ring Will drive away the cramp, when as it doth wring."
A curious passage occurs in a letter addressed by Lord Chancellor Hatton to Sir Thomas Smith, preserved in one of the Harl. MSS., relating to an epidemic at that time prevalent. "I am likewise bold to commend my most humble duty to our deer mistress (Queen Elizabeth) by this letter and ring, which hath the virtue to expell infectious airs, and is (as it telleth me) to be worn betwixt the sweet duggs, the chaste nest of pure constancy. I trust, Sir, when the virtue is known, it shall not be refused for the value."
Two sepulchral effigies of diminutive dimensions exist in Pembrokeshire, which have not been included in the list given by Mr. Walford, in his notice of the little effigy at Horsted Keynes. Sketches of these figures have been communicated by Mr. Thomas Allen, of Freestone Hall, Tenby. One of them, much defaced, appears to have been intended to represent a female, with a coverchief thrown over her head. The slab is narrower at the lower end than at the head, where it terminates in a pointed arch, crocketed, and forming a sort of canopy over the figure. This was found ​by Mr. Allen in Carew church. The second is in the church of Boulston, and represents a male figure, rudely sculptured, clad in a long gown, the feet resting on a dog. Date, fourteenth century? Over the head is a cinq-foiled canopy. Dimensions of the slab, length, 2 ft, 3 in.; width, at head, 1 ft., at feet 10 in.
Mr. R. P. Pullan has communicated, through Mr. Walford, an impression of a small sepulchral brass, of the fifteenth century, existing in the chancel of the church at West Tanfield, Yorkshire. It represents an ecclesiastic, formerly rector of the parish, clad in the canonical habit. The figure measures 19 inches in length. He is represented as vested in a cope, with its usual decorative bordures of embroidery, or orfrays: over his cassock is worn a surplice with very long sleeves, the furred tippet appears with its long pendants in front, and a portion of its hood surrounding the throat, like a falling collar. The tonsure is concealed by a small skull-cap. Beneath the figure is a plate inscribed with the following singular lines:—
Dum vixit Rector. de Tanfeld Noi'e Thomas Sutton. En jacet hic graduatus et Elle magist' Artibz. ac eciam Canonicus hic qz Westchester Sic Norton' biator ffundite vota p'cor.
Gough has given this inscription, in his additions to Camden, but strangely blundered in the transcript.
The annexed representation of the seal of the chantry founded in Wimbourne Minster by Thomas de Brembre, who succeeded as dean of that collegiate church Aug. 5, 1350, is taken from an impression of the original matrix which is in possession of the Institute, having been presented, with other curious relics, by the Rev. Robert Wickham of Twyford, Hants. This beautiful seal has been already engraved in Hutchins's History of Dorsetshire, but so unsatisfactorily that another representation of it appeared desirable. Thomas de Brembre succeeded to the prebend of Milton Manor, in the cathedral church of Lincoln, in 1344, and in 1345 was made prebendary of Sutton cum Bucks, the best endowed stall in the cathedral. He is said to have died in 1361, and was buried at Wimbourne, but this date is probably incorrect. His foundation at Wimbourne was endowed for a warden and four chaplains: in 1534 it was returned as of the annual value of 22l. 8s. 1d., which sum was then divided between three chaplains only. The armorial bearings on the ​shield at the base of the seal are those usually ascribed to Brembre; argent, two annulets, and a canton azure. Brembre, lord mayor of London in 1377, 1383-4-5, bore the same, with a mullet on the canton for difference. Numerous particulars concerning Brembre's " great chauntrye," as it was anciently called, are given in the History of Dorsetshire.
The curious seal of the sub-dean of Chichester here engraved, by permission of the Rev. Thomas Mozley, rector of Cholderton, Wiltshire, has been fully described in a former number of the Journal. It is a brass matrix, and was discovered six years since, in a field between the two parishes of Cholderton and Newton Toney, on the borders of Hampshire.
As a further illustration of the remarks on ancient drinking cups termed "Mazers," which appeared in the Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 263, we are enabled, by the kindness of Sir William Heathcote, Bart., to present the accompanying cut of a Mazer, which is evidently of an earlier age than the example in the possession of Mr. Shirley, which we have already figured; its date is probably early in the thirteenth century. It was found in the deep well in the ruined castle of Merdon, near Hursley, built by Bishop Henry de Blois, A.D. 1138. The material is apparently ashen wood, which was supposed to be gifted with certain medicinal or extraordinary qualities.
* ↑ Several combs of this description have been found in Great Britain, with remains of the primeval age. A representation of one may be seen in the Archæologia Scotica. Two, found at the Castle-hill, Thetford, were communicated by Dr. Stukeley to the Society of Antiquaries. They appeared to be formed of the bone of a horse. Another, found within the remarkable entrenchments at Stanwick, Yorkshire, has been deposited by Lord Prudhoe at the British Museum. The conjecture that these implements had served for the impression of ornaments on the rude fictile vessels of the earliest period does not appear to have been previously stated, and may deserve attention.
* ↑ I would here refer to the Archæological Journal, vol. iii. p. 155, where is described a tumulus in Ireland, containing a dome-shaped structure.
* ↑ A brief report of this discovery was given in the Archæol. Journal, vol. i. p. 387.
* ↑ The Antiquities and History of Steeple Aston, compiled by Wm. Wing; Deddington, 1845. We may take this occasion of commending to the notice of those of our readers, who may be interested in such subjects this well-arranged and unpretending work, comprising much valuable information.
* ↑ Archæological Journal, p. 159 of this volume.
* ↑ A representation is given in Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 187.
* ↑ Archæologia, vol. xv. pl. xxxiv. Archæological Journal, vol. ii. p. 187.
* ↑ Archæological Journal, vol. iii. p. 71.
* ↑ Ibid, vol. ii. p. 272.
* ↑ Richard Dyer, as stated by Gough. Probably one of the poet's relations. His father was Robert Dyer, of Aberglassney.
* ↑ See representations of two fragments existing at Penally, near Tenby, Archæol. Journal, vol. i. p. 384.
* ↑ Gough's Camden, vol. iii. p. 141.
* ↑ A great variety of these are given by Montfaucon, Ant. Exp., tom, ii., and Supplem., tom. ii.
* ↑ Archæologia, xxx. 390.
* ↑ Archæologia, xviii. 306. Allusion is often made in the early romances to the credited virtues of precious stones, and talismanic rings, as in Sir Eglamour, v. 715; Sir Perceval De Galles, v. 1860, c.
* ↑ Proceedings of the Archæol. Instit. Winchester, p. xxiv.
* ↑ Archæologia, xxx. 400.
* ↑ Camden's Brit., ed. Gough, ii. 404. See a notice of a curious talismanic ring against leprosy, Archæol., xxi. 25, 120.
* ↑ Archæol. Journal. See p. 234 of this volume.
* ↑ So Chester was sometimes called. See Ormerod, vol. i. p. 107.
* ↑ Camd. Brit., iii. 335.
* ↑ Ed. 1796. vol. ii. p. 537.
* ↑ Browne Willis: Survey of Lincoln, pp. 222. 246.
* ↑ Pat. 39 Edward III., part ii. m. 10 and 19.
* ↑ Pp. 534—537.
* ↑ Vol. ii. p. 210.