# Archaeological Journal/Volume 2/Proceedings of the Central Committee (Part 1)

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE
of the
British Archaeological Association.
December 11.
Mr. Redmond Anthony, of Piltown, Ireland, forwarded through Mr. Smith impressions from four small cubes of white porcelain, in his possession, such as are occasionally dug up in Ireland. On the lower face of each cube, which measures about half an inch square, are impressed certain Chinese characters, and the cube serves as a kind of pedestal to a small figure of a lion or some other animal "seiant."' The whole measures, in height, about one inch and one tenth. Mr. Anthony observes that some persons have supposed these cubes to be of a period as early as the sixth century, but how or when they were imported into Ireland is a mystery. Mr. Birch stated that, in his opinion, they were used as seals by private persons in China, and from peculiarities in the characters, they can not be considered to be anterior to the sixteenth century. Communications have been made to the Royal Irish Academy, regarding these singular objects.
Mr. Wire, of Colchester, reported to the Committee that attempts had recently been made to steal monumental brasses from the church of Brightlingsea, in Essex, and also from that of Hadleigh, in Suffolk. Mr. Smith added that, according to report, one had been actually taken away from a church in Ipswich, a few months since. Mr. Smith then drew the attention of the Committee to the progressive revival of the ancient art of engraving monumental effigies on brass, and stated that the Messrs. Waller have executed and laid down brasses, in Michel-Dean church, Gloucestershire, in Windlesham church, Surrey, and in Gresford church, Denbighshire; and that Mr. Thomas King, of Chichester, is now engaged in engraving a very elaborate brass of a priest richly robed. It is copied from a monument at Dieppe, which bears the date A.D, 1447.
Mr. W. H. Gomonde, of Cheltenham, communicated some additional details in regard to the discovery of interments near the camp on Leckhampton hill, of which an account had been supplied by the Rev. Lambert B. Larking. (See Proceedings of the Committee, October 9.) The adjacent part of the hill having subsequently been excavated, part of the bit of a ​bridle, with a ring for attaching the rein, measuring in diameter 31/2 inches, a spear-head, and a curved implement, possibly intended for raking up the ashes of the funereal pile, were found. All these objects are of iron. Some portions of vases or urns were discovered, and some of these appear to have been formed with small handles, perforated, as if for suspension: the colour of the ware is a deep glossy black, and some pieces are of fine quality. These relics were brought to light in the space between the quarry where the skeleton was disinterred, (on the skull of which was a bronze frame of a cap, or head-piece,) and the road to Birdlip.
December 18.
Mr. C. R. Smith reported a recent discovery of some extremely solid and well-constructed foundations of Roman buildings, in Old Fish-street Hill, near the entrance into Thames-street, at the depth of 16 feet. These works were brought to light by excavations made for a sewer. One wall, from 3 to 4 feet thick, ran parallel with the street towards Thames-street, and another crossed it at right angles. In the latter was an arch 3 feet wide, and 31/2 high, turned with tiles, 17 inches by 8, projecting one over the other, the crown of the arch being formed by a single tile. The walls were built upon large hewn stones, many of which had clearly been used previously in some other building, and these were laid upon wooden piles. By the side of the wall which ran parallel with the sewer, about 16 feet from the arch, were several tiers of tiles, 2 feet by 18 inches, placed upon massive hewn stones, one of which measured 4 feet 5 inches in length, was 2 feet wide, and 2 feet thick. Mr. Smith regretted that circumstances did not admit of his making such researches as the magnitude and peculiarities of these subterranean remains deserved. The depth of the walls and the piles beneath, when compared with the adjoining ground, shewed that the site had been low and boggy. Twenty paces higher up Old Fish-street Hill the excavators came upon the native gravel, at the depth of 5 or 6 feet.
Mr. Crofton Croker read a letter which he had received from J. Emerson Tennent, Esq., M.P., stating that about the year 1837-8, some turf-cutters, working in a bog at Gart-na-moyagh, near Garvagh, in the county of Derry, found the body of a knight in complete chain armour; beside it were the heads and brazen buts of two spears, but the wooden shaft which connected them had disappeared; and, close by, lay one or two trunks which had contained embroidered dresses, for threads of gold and silver could be pulled out of the peat earth which filled the space within the decayed wood of the boxes. The trappings of his horse were likewise found, and together with them a pair of stirrups which had been wrought with gold and silver ornaments, like Turkish or Saracenic work.
Some fragments of the armour were preserved, and the rings seemed, as it was stated, to indicate that they were of Milanese workmanship, because they were joined inside the ring, instead of outside as the Spanish armour was.
​A letter was communicated by the President and Council of the Society of Antiquaries, from Mr. Dawson Turner, dated Yarmouth, November 30, informing them that the projectors of a railroad from Yarmouth to Diss, intended to apply to Parliament for power to demolish portions of Burgh Castle, the Garianonum of the Romans, and expressing the hope of its proprietor, that the Society would assist in the preservation of this, the most perfect specimen of a Roman castrum-hibernum, now in existence. Copies of letters were also communicated which had been addressed by Mr. Carlisle, the Secretary of the Society of Antiquaries, to Mr. Hudson Gurney, and to Mr. Ferrier, of Burgh Castle, requesting them to take into consideration the means necessary for preventing its demolition.
Another letter on the same subject, dated December 16, with a plan of Burgh Castle and its vicinity, was communicated from Mr. Charles J. Palmer, of Great Yarmouth, through Mr. King, stating that although the first proposed line, which would have passed through the castle, has been abandoned, the new line is so close to its south-western angle, that he would suggest the propriety of bringing the subject under the notice of Lords Dalhousie and Aberdeen. Upon these several statements, Dr. Bromet was requested to enquire as to the probability of any alteration of either of the above-named lines, so as not to endanger Burgh Castle, and to report thereon at a future meeting.
Dr. Bromet communicated a drawing and part of a letter from the Rev. C. Parkin, of Lenham, in Kent, stating that having erected a stage for the purpose of taking a nearer view of the painting in his church, than that exhibited at Canterbury, (described in the Journal, vol. i. page 270,) he found that the object in the hand of the horn-blowing imp, which was there called a soul, is a small trefoil-shaped figure: and, speaking of the rosary, he says that only four ave beads appear between each of the eight pater-nosters, except in one case, in which there are five. He also says that the inscription seems to have been only one word in the old English character; that it is the left hand of the Virgin which is raised in the attitude of blessing; and that something apparently meant for a net is spread over the devil's scale, as if to prevent the escape of the soul in it. With reference to these details, Dr. Bromet remarked, that ancient rosaries consisted of fifty ave, and five pater-noster beads; and suggested that the trefoil-like figure was meant to represent a bag of money.
A letter was read from the Rev. H. Longueville Jones, of Manchester, suggesting to the Committee that Archæological Societies should be established in all important localities, and strongly recommending the counties of Salop and Chester, as having peculiar claims. He recommends also a survey of the present condition of all monastic and castellated remains in the British dominions, beginning with Kent; and that this survey should comprehend, 1st, Architectural admeasurements and delineations; 2ndly, an enumeration of all chartularies, and other MS. documents connected with them; and 3rdly, the names of their several possessors. He further suggests an application to competent authority, that in each of the Crown-castles ​at Caernarvon, Conway and Beaumarais, one of the towers should be restored as an example of medieval military architecture, and to serve also as a local public museum: and concludes by soliciting the Committee to use their endeavours to obtain a grant of money for the restoration of a tomb (at Penmynydd, in Anglesey) of one of Her Majesty's direct ancestors, of the race of Tudor, deceased in the fifteenth century.
January 8.
The Cambridge Antiquarian Society presented the complete series of their Proceedings, hitherto published.
The Rev. Stephen Isaacson, Rector of Dymchurch, Kent, exhibited the upper moiety of a thurible, formed of yellow mixed metal, which was discovered in the sea-wall at Dymchurch. By the general character of workmanship, which is somewhat rude in execution, it appears to have been fashioned towards the close of the sixteenth century.
Mr. Charles Roach Smith exhibited a number of beads, discovered in the county of Antrim, and communicated for the inspection of the Committee, by Mr. Edward Benn. Two or three of these ornaments, formed of glass, or semi-vitrified ware, resemble the beads which are frequently found in London, and other places, with Roman remains.
The Rev. William Haslam, of St. Perran-zabuloe, exhibited two ancient rings. The more ancient of these ornaments has been noticed by him in his recently published account of the Oratory of St. Piran in the sands, near Truro, page 146; it is of silver, and ornamented with the intention, apparently, of representing a serpent. It was found on a skeleton which was buried almost on a level with the foundation of the oratory, arid therefore, probably, before it was covered up by shifting sands. The other ring is of gold, elegantly fashioned and enamelled; it is set with a ruby, and appears to be a work of the later part of the sixteenth century. It was found in the cemetery of the convent of Friars-preachers, Kenwyn-street, Truro.
Mr. Way communicated a letter from Mr. Jabez Allies, of Worcester, relating to the recent discovery of a small female figure of bronze, at the depth of about 18 feet, in sinking a well behind a house in the High-street, Worcester: it belongs to Dr. James Nash, of that city. Roman coins have been found in the vicinity, and the figure, which was sent for the inspection of the Committee, appears to be of Roman workmanship. Mr. Allies exhibited likewise a small rudely sculptured stone figure, which, as it was stated, had been found in making the excavations for the new London bridge. It bears much resemblance to figures of South American origin.
Mr. Way also submitted to the inspection of the Committee sketches of some remarkable sculptured crosses, which exist in the Isle of Man. One of these stands in the churchyard at Braddan, the shaft is ornamented with figures of dragons, or monstrous animals, intertwined together, and on the side is an inscription, apparently in runes, of which it would be very desirable to obtain a cast, or an impression, which might easily be taken with strong ​unsized paper, slightly moistened, and pressed into the cavities of the surface of the stone by means of a soft brush. There is another curious cross, and a sculptured slab, or shaft of a cross, ornamented with interlaced bands, to be seen at Braddan. The other sketches represent the singular crossslab at Kirk Andreas, near Ramsey, which exhibits rudely designed figures of various animals, and a cross of curious interlaced design; also another similar monument at Kirk Michael, on which is portrayed the chace of the stag, with interlaced and spiral ornaments singularly designed.
| Kirk Braddan. | Kirk Andreas. |
There are several other similar specimens of ancient sculpture in the Isle of Man, some of which are probably sepulchral memorials, such as those which are to be seen at Ballsalla, Ramsey, Kirk Bride, and Kirk Maughold: at the ​last-named place there is also a cross of later character, apparently erected in the fifteenth century, on which is still seen the figure of the crucified Saviour, unbroken, and several armorial escutcheons: it is raised on a pedestal of three steps.
Kirk Michael. Isle of Man
A letter was then read, addressed to the Secretaries by the Rev. H. Longueville Jones, of Manchester, requesting the advice of the Committee how to proceed in forming more complete accounts of certain monastic establishments than are contained in Dugdale's great work, instancing Penmôn, and Ynys-Seiriol, in Anglesey, and Bardsey Island, in Caernarvonshire. Mr. Jones also enquired whether the Committee would preserve such documents and drawings as might be collected in any survey or special investigation of such subjects, and added some remarks on the utility of a good list of desiderata previously to the inspection of particular districts, expressing his opinion that the publication by the Committee of a set of Instructions, similar to those issued by the French "Comité Historique," would be a valuable auxiliary to archæological research.
Another letter was read from Mr. H. L. Jones, stating that the railroad about to be made from Chester to Holyhead will pass in the immediate vicinity of the following ancient remains, which may possibly thereby suffer some injuries. In Flintshire, a Roman road, and some British and Saxon works; in Caernarvonshire, the Roman station at Conway, the castle, and the town walls there, which were built by Edward I.; between Aber and Bangor, the road from Conovium to Segontium; in Anglesey, the communication between Segontium and Holyhead, and the Roman walls which are still standing at the latter place. Mr. Jones therefore suggests that, as in the cutting of this line many valuable objects of antiquity will probably be brought to light, the Committee should apply not only to the London and Birmingham railroad company, and to its engineer, Mr. Stephenson, but also to the chief land-owners (some of whom are members of the Association), through whose property it is to pass; and urge them, with especial care of old Conway ​to preserve all such objects, and deposit them either in the Museum of Welsh Antiquities, now established at Caernarvon, or in the British Museum.
A letter from Mr. Charles J. Palmer, of Great Yarmouth, to Mr. King, was read, stating that the Yarmouth, Beccles, and Dix railway, as now proposed, will run along the low ground at the foot of Burgh Castle, and suggesting, although no part of it will be necessarily touched, that some of the Committee should communicate with the engineer, Captain Moorsom, and request him to take care that no wanton damage be done to the old walls. Upon this communication. Dr. Bromet, who had undertaken, on the first alarm, to enquire as to the probable fate of the above-named almost unique specimen of Roman fortification, reported that there was reason to doubt whether authority would be granted for the railway above-mentioned, and the project has been subsequently laid aside.
A letter to Dr. Bromet, from Mr. Henry J. Stevens of Derby, was then read, offering to present to the Association a set of casts taken from some ancient sculptured stones, formerly parts of the church of St. Alkmund, in that town, and of which Dr. Bromet gave an account to the Committee on the 13th of November last; Mr. Stevens observed that the drawings and written description, which he proposes to communicate to the Committee, will not afford such satisfactory information regarding these sculptures as might be supplied by these fac-similes. In reply to this offer, the Secretaries were instructed to give the thanks of the Committee to Mr. Stevens, and to state, that, as the Association does not yet possess a suitable place of deposit for such cumbrous objects, the Committee must decline the offer of the casts, but that they would gratefully accept the drawings and written description.
January 22.
Mr. Thomas Kent, of Padstow, Cornwall, communicated, through Mr. Charles R. Smith, a sketch of an inscribed slab of granite, described as apparently of the Romano-British period, which now supplies the place of a gatepost, at a spot a few miles distant from Padstow. The stone measures about 6 feet in length, and about 13 inches by 10 inches square. The proprietor of the land promises to remove it to a more secure situation.
Mr. Way laid before the Committee a sketch of another inscribed memorial, communicated by the Rev. William Haslam, of St. Perranzabuloe, which likewise now serves as a gatepost, in the parish of St. Clement's, near Truro. This primitive and simple monument is formed of a roughly-hewn slab of granite, which measures in height 8 feet from the surface of the ​ground, 3 feet of its entire length being buried, and in breadth 18 inches at the widest part. Mr. Haslam proposes to read the legend as follows:—ISNIOCVS VITALIS FILIVS TORRICI.Borlase considered this cross to be one of the most ancient Christian monuments in the county, and probably the memorial of a Roman-British Christian of the fourth or fifth century. Its present position is at the back-gate of the vicarage, near the churchyard, within the precinct of which, as it may be concluded, it had been originally placed. Mr. Haslam reports that several other inscribed monuments, apparently of very early date, still exist in various parts of Cornwall, and deserve careful investigation.
Mr. William Hylton Longstaff, of Thirsk, communicated, through Mr. Way descriptions of the stained glass, and representations of some portions thereof existing in the fine Perpendicular church of Thirsk observing that the comparison of examples of ancient decoration, symbolism, and costume, through the medium of correspondence between the Members of the Association, would prove highly advantageous. The existing glass in the nave was a few years ago collected by the zealous churchwarden of the place, Mr. Tutin, so as to fill one whole window, and the tracery of another. Several of the compartments have been arranged with accuracy and taste, but it is to be regretted that in many parts the ancient glass has been tampered with, and portions of the draperies have been restored in modern glass, without sufficient authority. Some parts, too, are in great confusion, owing to the miserable state of the glass, which had shared the fate of too many similar remains in the county.
The only figures which Mr. Longstaff has been able to appropriate are the following. 1. St. Margaret, beneath a canopy, having under her feet a dragon, and a cruciform spear in her hand. 2. St. Catherine, cor- responding in decorations with St. Margaret, with the sword and wheel. 3. St. Giles, in a blue robe, crosier in left hand, book in right, and the wounded doe springing up at him. Opposite this figure is another, also in a blue dress, having a mitre and crosier, kneeling before a table with a book open, and with a scroll round the head, "See Egidi ora p' nobis." The head, and other parts, have been restored (as it is stated, faithfully) in consequence of the originals being so much broken as to render it unadvisable to replace them. 4. Two beautiful figures labelled respectively "Anna—Cleophas." Cleophas is represented as an aged man, and the ​robe of Anna is powdered with the letter a. The foregoing designs are nearly perfect. 5. St. Leonard, in an archbishop's costume, and a fetter in one hand, the other being in the attitude of benediction. Labelled "S. leon' dus." 6. A head of Christ, with the cruciform nimbus, and a rude representation of the crown of thorns. No other portions of the figure could be appropriated to this head. Some other figures, more or less fractured, amongst portions of minor consequence, also exist. The following may deserve notice. Two heads with horn-shaped dresses, attached to draperies which certainly never belonged to them, near to St. Leonard. Beneath, this legend, "Orate p' bono statu—Elizabet—uxoris." The "Elizabet," is part of some other inscription. Two large heads, one an aged personage, with yellow hair, and the other a female with a coronet, perhaps intended for the wife of one of the Mowbrays who were dukes of Norfolk, but this is quite a matter of conjecture. Near them is a scroll, "Osgodby—bina virgo sistas." Osgodby is a hamlet near Thirsk, formerly the residence of the Askews, whose arms occur five times in the windows, but the scroll probably was formerly in some other window.
The following arms occur, mostly on shields borne by angels. 1. Askew, sable, a fess gules between three asses passant argent. In these arms three distinctions occur, a crescent, a mullet, and a mitre. 2. D'arcy, Az. semée of crosslets and three cinqufoils Arg. The Lords Darcy and Menil were very powerful in Yorkshire. 3. Royal Arms, France and England quarterly, with the motto "dieu et moun droit." 4. Mowbray, Gules, a lion rampant argent. The family, it is well known, had a large castle at Thirsk, demolished in the reign of Henry II., and possessed the manor until its extinction. 5. ———? Barry or and azure, a chief of the first. 6. ———? Arg. on a bend cotised gules three torteaux, a chief sable. 7. ———? Sable, two lions passant paly gules and argent.
Besides the above designs there are many ornaments, some of great beauty, and six noble canopies, filling the heads of the principal lights. Some of the glass is evidently older than the church, and of the Decorated period; one fragment has the ball-flower ornament, well drawn. No evangelistic emblems have been noticed, but part of an Agnus Dei is observable. The tracery of one of the chancel windows is nearly filled with foliated sombre-coloured glass, which was taken out during a late so-called restoration of this part of the church, but will shortly be replaced. The steward of the lessees of the tithes (who of course hold the chancel) inconsiderately suffered this glass to be extracted from the leads, rendering it a difficult task to restore it as originally arranged, and not content with this, gave some portions away, which however have been fortunately recovered.
Mr. John Virtue, in a letter to Mr. Charles Roach Smith, stated that having heard that a number of interesting documents and papers had been stored away in a room in the ruined mansion of Cowdry, near Midhurst, in Sussex, the only portion of the building that escaped destruction by the fire, he took occasion to visit Cowdry House in November last. He ascertained that the room having become ruinous and unsafe, and many of the papers ​having been carried away by persons who chanced to visit the ruins, the remainder had been thrown into the closets which surrounded the room, which were then nailed up, and the papers left to decay. The present state of this chamber is such, that at no very distant time it must fall, and these old documents will probably perish.
Mr. Thomas King, of Chichester, communicated an account of the singular interment discovered in a barrow in Dale Park, near Arundel, which was opened in June, 1810, by the Rev. James Douglas, the author of the Nenia, and Mr. King. The tumulus was formed of coarse gravel, and no signs of any vallum around it could be perceived. In the mound, the elevation of which was inconsiderable, portions of charred wood were found, and about a foot beneath the level of the natural soil a perfect skeleton was discovered, the head placed towards the north; it measured six feet, and at the feet were placed a pair of large stag's antlers. The form of the tumulus was oval, the longer diameter being north and south, corresponding to the direction in which the corpse had been deposited.
Skeleton found in Dale Park.
Mr. Smith laid before the Committee a letter from Mr. W. P. Griffith, representing that St. John's Gate, Clerkenwell, which was the south gate of the Hospital of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, finished A. D. 1504, had fallen into decay, so that the state of the building has been reported to be dangerous, and that the official referees, under the new Metropolitan Building Act, have directed Mr. Robert Sibley, district surveyor of Clerkenwell, to make a survey of its present condition. Portions of the decayed facing of the gate have from time to time fallen, to the annoyance of the neighbours, who are disposed to desire its removal, and if the proprietor does not think fit to repair it, the building will probably be condemned to destruction, in pursuance of the act of parliament. Mr. Manby promised to obtain further information on the subject.
Mr. Goddard Johnson communicated a notice of the discovery of some bronze implements, in the village of Carlton Rode, about three miles south of Attleborough in Norfolk, by a labourer employed in digging a ditch in a piece of pasture land, the property of the Rev. Thomas Slapp. Four bronze gouges were found, three of which have sockets for hafts, and one has a shank to be inserted into a haft; there were also bronze punches, chisels, celts, portions of celts, being the cutting ends of those implements, and several pieces of metal, of which one appeared by its shape to have been the residuum left in the melting-pot. There was no appearance of a tumulus, or any other trace of ancient occupation, near the spot. Mr. John​son remarked that the discovery of celts with implements of mechanical use, in this instance, may afford a ground for the supposition that celts were fabricated for some domestic or mechanical purpose, rather than to serve as military weapons. Mr. Smith observed that a similar discovery of celts with gouges, and portions of a bronze sword, had been made at Sittingbourne, as stated by the Rev. W. Vallance in a paper which was read at the Canterbury meeting.
Mr. J. Dixon, of Leeds, communicated a description and sketch of a fragment of painted glass, formerly in one of the windows of the old mansion called Oswinthorpe, or Osmundthorpe Hall, near Leeds, now demolished, which was, as it is supposed, a residence of the kings of Northumbria. The drawing represents a portion of a small figure of a king; he is in armour, on his shield and surcoat appears the bearing, argent, three crowns or, and it has been conjectured that it was intended to portray Redwald, the first Christian king of the East Angles. The field, however, of the arms attributed to the East-Anglian kings, is azure. The costume of the figure shews that it was designed in the earlier part of the fifteenth century. Mr. Dixon stated that a gold coin of Justinian, weighing twenty-one grains, was found at Oswinthorpe, in August, 1774.
A note from Mr. Edward Freeman was then read, in reference to the "restorations," which are now in progress, at St. Mary's church, Leicester. The removal of the Altar from the end of the wide southern aisle, where it at present stands, to the original chancel, will leave a space, originally occupied by a chantry altar, and now to be occupied by pews, which will injure or conceal some Early-English sedilia, described as of remarkably fine character. A sepulchral recess near to them has been recently blocked up by a monument, and a beautiful parclose screen, which divided the south aisle from the chancel, has been taken down, and it is proposed to re-erect it as a reredos to the new altar, and to paint the Ten Commandments upon the panels.
Mr. Way shewed to the Committee a sketch of a singular fragment of sculpture, which was discovered some years since at St. Michael's church, Southampton, imbedded in the wall of a porch, which was then taken down. The Rev. Arthur Hussey, of Rottingdean, who made this communication, states that it has been fixed against the chancel wall, within the altar rails: it represents a bishop, vested in pontificals, his right hand elevated in the attitude of benediction, whilst the left grasps the pastoral staff, which terminates in a plain volute. Unfortunately the head is lost; the fragment measures about 30 inches in height: and the only remarkable peculiarity is, that on the breast appears a square jewelled ornament affixed to the chasuble, and apparently representing the rationale. The sculpture is exceedingly rude, and its date may be assigned to the thirteenth century. Mr. Hussey also drew the attention of the Committee to the dilapidated state of Netley Abbey, and the injuries which it had sustained in late years; observing that the fall of some portions might be apprehended, but that wanton mischief had done more than time and decay to deface this interest​ing monument. The ruins are now, however, strictly closed against intruders.
Mr. Thomas Inskip, of Shefford, Bedfordshire, communicated an account of the discovery of Roman remains recently brought to light in that neighbourhood. Two skeletons were found, buried cross-wise, the head of one to the south-east, and that of the other in the contrary direction. By the side of these were placed three fine vases of glass, the largest of which, of coarse metal and of a green colour, would contain about two gallons. The form is sexagonal, and it has no handles; the glass towards the lower part is half an inch in thickness. There was also a glass bottle, of remarkably elegant design, and of the colour of pale Port wine, with a slight purple tinge. All these vessels were broken to pieces; some fragments of Samian ware were found, and an iron utensil, apparently intended for the purpose of hanging up a lamp against a wall.
The Rev. Edward Gibbs Walford, Rector of Chipping Warden, near Banbury, exhibited a bead, or annular ornament of pale olive-green coloured glass, supposed to be of early British fabrication; it was found in August, 1844, near the south-east corner of the bull-baiting ground in Chipping Warden parish. Mr. Walford caused the spot to be excavated, but nothing more was discovered. The bull-baiting ground is nearly contiguous to the Arbury Banks; in the middle of it are the remains of an artificial bank, parallel with the Wallow Bank; and at a spot midway between them the bead was found. The value of this relic, as Mr. Walford remarked, is that it affords an evidence, in addition to many others, that these Banks were of British construction and occupation.
Mr. Hawkins, in reference to a communication which had been made at a previous meeting regarding the present state of Llantoney Abbey, furnished the following particulars. The owner of the property, Walter Savage Lander, the poet, now resident in Italy, has been much blamed for allowing stones to be removed from the abbey, for the construction of a house built there by him. The abbey is now very ruinous, the walls of the choir are standing, at least so far preserved that the outline of some of the windows is shown. The walls of the south transept are tolerably perfect, the north transept is ruinous; the arches which separate the nave from the aisles are in fair preservation and very beautiful. The north aisle is occupied by a wash-house and skittle-ground. The cloisters, dormitories, &c., are used as a place for the reception of visitors, kept by a person named Webb, who does all in his power to preserve the ruins, which do not appear to have suffered any injuries of late. The western front is very perfect and beautiful, but the tracery of the great window is gone.
Letters were read by Mr. Smith from Mr. W. Webster and Mr. C. Beauchamp, relating to a Roman tesselated pavement at West Dean, Hants, which was partially laid open upwards of a century since. It is apprehended that it may now be destroyed by railway operations. Mr. Smith stated that he had written on this subject to Mr. Beauchamp, the tenant of the land, and to Mr. Hatcher, of Salisbury, and Captain Smith, R.M., who had promised to report to the Committee.
February 12.
Mr. Jolin Adey Repton presented a series of drawings of piscinas, of various dates, comprising a representation of an example recently brought to light, by Mr. Repton, in Springfield church, Essex, which had been wholly concealed. He supposes it to be of the time of Edward I. or Edward II. The large piscina in Tiltey church, Essex, erected probably as early as the reign of John, is furnished with two basins, one circular, the other octangular. The other examples are from St. Laurence, Ramsgate, and a chapel near Coggcshall, Essex, assigned to the early part of the reign of Henry III., having round-headed trefoiled arches; towards the latter part of the same reign this feature was superseded by the pointed trefoil, as at Laxton, Northamptonshire, which appears to be a very early specimen. Mr. Repton sent also a drawing of the triplet window of the chapel near Coggeshall, remarkable as being wholly constructed of brick. The bricks measure 121/2 inches by 61/4, and 2 inches thick.
Mr. Charles Roach Smith exhibited a piece of needle-work, communicated by Mr. John Dennett, of New Village, Isle of Wight, who, in alluding to Mr. Hartshorne's paper on embroidery, remarked that in this instance the black velvet, which serves as the ground-work, has been cut out in those parts where the pattern was sewn on. It is a portion of a complete suite of furniture for a half-tester bed, formerly in the old house of Appuldurcombe, and is said to have been the Avork of the ladies of the Worsley family. The ornaments are much raised, and the thickness of the hangings, the lining included, were so considerable that they must have been almost bullet-proof. The date 1616 was worked in the centre of the head-cloth. Mr. Dennett sent also a rubbing from a sepulchral brass in Arreton church, Isle of Wight. It is a figure in plate armour, date about 1430, the head is lost, and when perfect it measured about 2 feet 6 inches. The inscription is on a plate under the feet, and deserves notice as an early example of the disuse of the Latin legends which commonly accompany the memorials of the fifteenth century.
Here is y byried. under this grave Harry Hawles. his soule god save Longe tyme steward. of ye yle of Wyght Have m'ey on hym. God ful of myght
Beneath was an escutcheon, now lost. The ancient name De Aula, Mr. Dennett remarks, seems now to be preserved in the name Hollis.
Mr. Smith laid before the Committee a rubbing of another sepulchral brass, found at the east end of the north aisle in the church of Yealmpton, nine miles from Plymouth, and communicated, with notes of other memorials there, by Mr. Charles Spence. It is a figure in armour, measuring in length 2 feet 9 inches, and under the feet is the following legend:—Hic jacet Joh'es Crokker miles quonda' ciphorarius Ac signifer Illustrissimi regis edwardi quarti qui obijt xiiij die marcij Anno dn'i milli'o qui'ge'testimo octauo. Four escutcheons, one on either side of the head, and two at the ​feet, exhibit the bearing, a chevron between three crows, but the chevron is not engrailed, as visually borne by Crocker of Lyneham. Sir John Crokker distinguished himself in the suppression of Perkin Warbeck's rebellion, and accompanied the earl of Devon to the relief of Exeter, when besieged in 1497. The Lyneham estate passed, in 1740, by marriage with the heiress of Crocker, to the Bulteel family. On the north side of the church, in the churchyard, there is a very ancient inscribed slab, which bears the name TOREVS.
Mr. Thomas King, of Chichester, addressed the Committee on the subject of the frequent injuries and spoliation of sepulchral brasses; he states that ten escutcheons have been taken, one by one, from the curious brass at Trotton, in Sussex, which represents Margarete de Camoys, who died 1310. The armorial ornaments to which Mr. King alludes are, probably, the small escutcheons with which her robe was semée, and their loss is to be regretted, not only because they were doubtless enamelled, but as a very singular specimen of costume; for this is the only sepulchral brass which presents this peculiar feature of ornament, and it would have been deserving of attention to ascertain whether the bearing thus introduced were her own arms (Gatesden), those of Camoys, her first, or Paynel, her second husband. Mr. King, in a second letter addressed to Mr. Smith, in reference to the collection of old papers at Cowdry House, to which the attention of the Committee had previously been called, stated that the said documents had been stored away in a detached dovecote, at the time of the conflagration, and that they related to the times of Elizabeth, James, and the Protectorate. Mr. King has some of these papers in his possession, one of which is a detailed account of expenses for liveries and tailors' work, during Elizabeth's reign: he has also court rolls and other documents, of the time of James I, The papers had been wantonly destroyed, and used as wrappers, or for kindling fires, but the Earl of Egmont has recently purchased the estate, and the ruins will no longer be accessible to mischievous idlers.
Several cases were submitted to the attention of the Committee by persons anxious to preserve from demolition certain ancient churches, which had been condemned, perhaps, without sufficient consideration. Mr. W. G. Barker, of Harmby, near Leyburn, Yorkshire, reported to Mr. Way that the vicar of Thornton Steward had resolved to demolish the venerable church of St. Oswald at that place, considered by Dr. Whitaker to be the only vestige of Saxon architecture in Richmondshire: this church is named in Domesday. The fabric is in sufficient repair, the chief landowners and the parishioners, whose families have long been resident on the spot, are opposed to its destruction: its architectural features are not very striking; the nave is Norman, the chancel, which appears to have been built during the fourteenth century, contains a "lychnoscope, credence and piscina conjoined, and a beautiful sepulchre." Portions of a very ancient sculptured cross, covered with scroll-work, have been found in the churchyard. The church is distant about a quarter of a mile from the village, and complaints are made that it is damp, but this evil at least might be corrected by draining. ​The proposal to remove the church to the village has, as it is said, been sanctioned by the bishop of Ripon; but, at all events, it is to be hoped that the ancient place of burial will be preserved from desecration. Mr. John Waller, in a letter to Mr. Smith, stated, that the church of Fairlight, near Hastings, an old fabric, of humble character, had been likewise condemned, contrary to the feelings and wishes of the descendants of many generations, whose remains rest around this church, which, moreover, would require only a small outlay in order to put the building into good repair, and it is of sufficient size for the wants of the parish. A new incumbent, however, as it appears, desirous of erecting a structure of more decorated character, is endeavouring to collect subscriptions for that purpose, but it is to be hoped that he may be induced to abandon his intention. Mr. Waller's report is confirmed by Mr. W. Brooke, of Hastings, who announces that this little church is immediately to be pulled down, and that the singular little church in the middle of Hollington Wood, between Hastings and Battle Abbey, is likewise to be levelled to the ground, unless rescued by timely remonstrance. Mr. W. Gomonde, of Cheltenham, expressed his apprehension that the beautiful Norman chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, Gloucester, which belongs to some almshouses, might be demolished, to make way for a district church. The Chairman of the Trustees, indeed, declares that no such intention at present exists, but states, that if the ground were required in order to erect a larger church, the chapel would probably be sacrificed.
Mr. Gomonde communicated also a sketch of an intaglio, recently found in ploughing at Witcomb, in the vicinity of the Roman villa discovered by Lysons. It is a cornelian, set in a gold ring, and the device is composed of three heads, combined, which are supposed to represent Rome, Neptune, and Mercury. A second ring was found, set with a plain ruby.
The Rev. E. Gibbs Walford, rector of Chipping Warden, communicated a notice of an ancient burial-place, situated on a hill on the southern side of that parish, where skeletons have frequently been disinterred. It is remote from the church; but to the north-west is the British station called Arbury Banks; and in the valley beneath are the remains of Warden Castle. Mr. Walford has collected statements, supplied by various persons, who have witnessed the discovery of large pits filled with bones, a quantity of spurs, as also of skeletons interred singly, the bodies having been laid north and south, and in another case, east and west; these skeletons were laid consecutively in a line, head to foot. He suggests the possibility that these may be the remains of the Welshmen slain at the battle of Danesmore, in the adjoining parish of Edgcott, A.D. 1469, or of other persons who perished on that occasion.
Mr. Walford also laid before the Committee a coloured representation of a portion of Roman tesselated pavement, measuring about 13 feet square, which was discovered by some labourers, in the operation of trenching, at Lenthy Green, about a mile from Sherborne, Dorset. This occurred about ​the year 1840; the rubbish was removed, and a temporary house raised over it; it was subsequently removed by a frame, worked by means of screws, and laid down in Lord Digby's dairy, at Sherborne Castle. The central subject, which is enclosed in a panel formed by two interlaced squares, appears to represent, as Mr. Birch suggested, the contest between Apollo and Marsyas: one figure is seated, and holds a lyre on his knees; the other plays on a double flute.
Mr. Smith reported the result of his enquiries respecting another tesselated pavement, at West Dean, in Wiltshire, which, as it had been stated to the Committee, lay in the projected line of a railway: Sir Richard Hoare mentions a discovery of a pavement at that place about a century since. The spot is in the occupation of a farmer named Beauchamp, who has uncovered a small portion, but it is believed that a much greater extent of pavement lies still concealed; and the remains of walls, the discovery of coins, and other relics, appear to indicate the site of a villa. Nearly the whole of the place is the property of Charles Baring Wall, Esq., M.P. Mr. Hatcher, of Salisbury, asserts that the site of another unexplored Roman villa exists in Clarendon Wood, about three miles from Salisbury, and that numerous coins have been there discovered.
Mr. William Downing Bruce, of Ripon, communicated an account of the tomb of Robert Bruce, competitor for the crown of Scotland, still preserved at Guisborough. This curious memorial, which appears to have been erected towards the close of the fifteenth century, consists of an altar-tomb, surrounded by small figures in armour, with armorial escutcheons, singularly disposed. A representation of the western end of the tomb, now destroyed, has been preserved by Dugdale, in his account of Guisborough Priory, which was founded by Robert de Brus, A.D. 1119. A representation of the tomb is given in Ord's History of Cleveland; and Dugdale's plate has been copied for Mr. Drummond's History of the Bruce family. The two sides of the tomb were removed to the parish church, and built into the porch, or lower part of the tower; the upper slab being employed to form an altar-table, as is still to be seen. There was no recumbent effigy, but a figure of Robert Bruce appeared at the west end of the tomb, which no longer exists.
Mr. W. H. Hatcher communicated a sketch of a portion of Norwich Cathedral, taken by the Rev. A. Power, sen., and representing a most picturesque portion of that edifice, which, as stated to the Committee, must shortly fall into ruin, on account of its having been undermined. The view is taken from the residence of the Rev. Alex. Bath Power, jun.
Mr. Charles R. Smith communicated a letter from Monsieur de Gerville, of Valognes in Normandy, respecting the discovery of 366 French and English gold coins, near Barfleur. They are chiefly of the reigns of Charles XII. of France, and of Henry V. and Henry VI. of England.
One of Two Panels affixed to the Standards of a Founder's-Seat in North-Witham Church, Lincolnshire,
Conical Capital (ante-Norman), found beneafh the Foundations of St Alkmund's Church Derby
Conical Capital (ante-Norman), found beneath the Foundations of St. Alkmunds Church, Derby
February 26.
The Rev. Henry De Foe Baker, of Browne's Hospital, Stamford, presented drawings which represent the ruined gateway of Mackworth Castle, Derbyshire; a fragment of sculpture, ornamented with figures of animals, which was discovered in pulling down St. Alkmund's church, Derby, and appears to have formed the lower limb of a finial-cross; a singular head, which was dug out of "the Roman bank," or Ermin Street Road, at Southorpe, near Stamford; a singular vessel of greenish-coloured glazed earthenware, which was discovered, at Stamford, in a subterraneous passage, partially explored; and two personal seals. One of these exhibits the bearing, a fesse dancetté between three cross-crosslets fitchées, surmounted by a helm and crest, and bearing the legend Sigil : Thome : de : Sandes ; the matrix is of silver, and was found in Carlisle Castle. The second is inscribed s : fr'is : ioh'is : rolandi : ord : minor', with a scutcheon bearing two lions rampant, adossés. Mr. Baker offered at the same time, for insertion in the forthcoming Journal, impressions of three glyphographic representations of ancient sculpture, produced by Mr. Palmer's process, which, as Mr. Baker remarks, may prove very valuable and available for the illustration of topographical or antiquarian works. The Committee thankfully accepted his obliging offer, and the subjects, which are here laid before the readers of the Journal, are as follows. Two sand-stone capitals of conical form, discovered under the pavement in the late church of St. Alkmund, Derby (now replaced by a new and tasteful structure). The third specimen of glyphographic represents a sculptured panel of oak, formerly the end of an open seat in North Witham church, Lincolnshire, and rescued from the fire by Mr. Baker. It exhibits an interesting atchievement, which by the kind assistance of Mr. King of the College of Arms, in referring to evidences there preserved, appears to have been the coat of Sir Thomas de la Laund, of Horbling, Lincolnshire, who married Katharine, fourth daughter, and at length coheiress, of Sir Lyon Welles, by Beatrix, heiress of Sir Robert Waterton. Sir Thomas was beheaded with Richard, Lord Welles, K. G., and his son Robert, by order of Edward IV., in the year 1470, according to Polydore Vergil, (lib. xxiv. p. 519.) The quarterings are as follows: I. argent a fess dancetté between ten billets gules, ​De la Laund; 2 and 3, or, a lion rampant, queue fourchue, sable, Welles; 4, barry of five, ermines and gules, three crescents sable, Waterton. The crest, which is placed on a most grotesquely fashioned heaume, is a lion, queue fourchue, probably assumed from the Welles family.
Mr. Way submitted, for the consideration of the Committee, the circular recently issued by the Philological Society, requesting the assistance of all persons who have given attention to the peculiarities of local dialect, in furtherance of the intention of the Society to compile and publish a Dictionary of British Provincialisms. Mr. Way observed, that the proposal of the Philological Society to collect such remains of our older language as are still preserved in the local dialects of the British islands, appears to be an object well deserving of the attention and concurrence of the Committee, and that essential aid might be afforded to the efforts of the Philological Society, by making the object known to the members of the Association, through the medium of the Archæological Journal. The Committee expressed their desire to give furtherance to so important an object. Many of the readers of the Journal may have taken an interest in observing and noting down the peculiarities of local dialect in various districts, and they may be disposed to make their researches available for such a purpose. The Philological Society will thankfully receive any communication addressed to the Secretary, I. G. Cochrane, Esq., 49, Pall Mall, London. (See the list of Archæological works preparing for publication.)
The Rev. John Williams, of Nerquis, Flintshire, author of the Ecclesiastical Antiquities of the Cymry, or the Ancient Church of Britain, communicated the following observations on the early use of lime-mortar in England.
"In an article 'on Ancient Mixed Masonry of Brick and Stone,' in the Archæological Journal (vol. i. p. 307,) by Mr. Bloxam, he observes; "That it is doubtful whether we have any remains of early masonry, to evince that, prior to the Roman invasion, the use of lime in a calcined state mixed with water and sand, or any other substance, so as to form an adhesive cement by which stone could be joined to stone, was known to the ancient inhabitants of this island." This made me curious to know if our old Welsh documents have recorded any traditionary incidents which might throw light upon the subject. I accordingly looked into some of them, and the following extracts are the fruit of my labours. "The three beneficial artisans of the isle of Britain; Corvinwr, the Bard of Ceri Hir Lyngwyn, who first made a ship, mast, and helm, for the nation of the Cymry; Morddal Gwr Gweilgi, the mason of Ceraint ab Greidiawl, who first taught the nation of Cymry how to work with stone and lime—at the time when Alexander the emperor was extending his conquests over the world;—and Cocl ab Cyllin ab Caradog ab Bran, who first made a mill with wheels for the nation of the Cymry. And they were bards." (Triad 91, third series, Myvyrian Archaiology, vol. ii. p. 71.)
​"Calchvynydd Hen ab Enir Vardd was the first who made lime. And it first happened in this way; having formed a bread-oven under his hearth with stones, the stones broke all to pieces by the force of the fire. He cast them away, and the rain first reduced them into dust, and afterwards into mortar, which became much hardened by the weather; and with some of that lime he white-washed his house: hence his name. Llywarch ab Calchvynydd was the first who made walls with stone and lime." Genealogy of lestin ab Gwrgant.
Mr. Way exhibited a singular pavement-tile, which was found amongst the ruins of Ulverscroft Priory, in Charnwood Forest, near Mount-Sorrel, Leicestershire. Mr. Henry Stanley, who communicated this example of the Decorated tiles fabricated in the fourteenth century, states, that an accumulation of soil, to the depth of from three to five feet, now covers the floor of the ancient church: the principal remains consist of the tower, and the southern wall, with three beautifully sculptured sedilia, and three large windows. The tile seems to have formed a part of a set of signs of the zodiac, and presents a figure of the ram, with the inscription sol in ariete, and in the angles appear traces of letters, apparently m. a. r. . . which may relate to the month of March, in which the sun enters into that sign. The zodiac, and emblematical representations of the months of the year by the ordinary occupation of each successive season, were frequently introduced in sculpture, painting, and other decorations. The curious pavement in Canterbury cathedral, composed of a kind of coarse mosaic work, affords a remarkable example: the ram is one of the figures still to be seen there. A curious set of decorative tiles, representing the months, and signs of the zodiac, existed in the chancel of Bredon church, Worcestershire.
Communications were submitted by Mr. John Butler, of Chichester, and Mr. Edward Richardson, regarding mural paintings, which have recently been discovered in Kirdford church, near Petworth; several figures of large size have been brought to light, and in some parts traces may be distinguished of painting executed at three several periods, covering the surface of the wall in three successive layers. Similar discoveries have been made in Lavant church, and it is much to be desired, that if these and similar mural paintings cannot be preserved, careful drawings should at least be made before they are plastered over and again concealed.
The Rev. Henry Ollard, of Didsbury College, Manchester, laid before ​the Committee a rubbing, taken from a sepulchral brass, which exists in the south aisle of the nave of Glasgow cathedral, and is the only example of that kind of memorial hitherto noticed in Scotland. It consists of an oblong plate, measuring three feet by two, formed of mixed metal of darker colour, and harder quality, than was usually employed for monumental brasses; a moiety of the plate is occupied by the following inscription:—HEIR $^•$ AR $^•$ BVREIT $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ WALTIR $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ THOMAS $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ IHONE $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ ROBERT $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ IHONE $^•$ AND $^•$ S$^r$ $^•$ MATHIEV $^•$ BY $^•$ LINEAL $^•$ DESCENT $^•$ TO $^•$ VTHERIS $^•$ BARONS $^•$ AND $^•$ KNIGHIS $^•$ (sic) OF $^•$ THE $^•$ HOVS $^•$ OF $^•$ MYNTO $^•$ WT $^•$ THAIR $^•$ VYFFIS $^•$ BAIRNIS $^•$ AND $^•$ BRETHEREIN. On the Other half of the plate appears a single kneeling figure, in armour, and above, the word Jehovah, in Hebrew characters, from which descend rays of glory. The date 1605 is inscribed on the stone to which this plate is attached.
March 12.
Tomb in Bredon Church-yard.
Mr. Munn also forwarded for inspection a restored view of the curious "Gesten Hall," at Worcester, and its singularly beautiful timber roof. It is stated that Prior Wulstan de Braunston built the great hall, commonly called the "Gesten Hall," in the year 1320. For many years past this interesting building had been used as the deanery-house; it was disguised by a modern casing in front, and the interior filled up with ceiled rooms, so ​that every feature of its character has been effectually concealed. The residence of the dean having been recently removed to the building hitherto known as the Bishop's Palace, and some intention of pulling down this ancient hall having been entertained, attention has been drawn to the fine architectural character of the structure. The plate, engraved at the expense of the Rev. William Digby, canon of Worcester, after the design of Mr. Haney Eginton, exhibits the interior as it would appear if restored; and it is earnestly to be hoped that the interest which has been taken by several members of the chapter in its preservation, may secure from injury or demolition so interesting a monument of Decorated Architecture.
Mr. Francis Foster, of the Inner Temple, exhibited a cast in plaster of Paris, taken from a portion of a collar of suns and roses, which appears on the effigy of a knight, in Ryther church, Yorkshire. No intervening links are seen between them, as usually is the case; and a lion couchant is appended to the collar. A cast of a small piece of interlaced mail, as represented on another effigy in the same church, was likewise shewn. The conventional modes of representing mail at different periods vary considerably, and much light would, in all probability, be thrown upon the obscure subject of the use of ringed and mailed defences, if correspondents would take the trouble to send to the Committee casts of small portions of effigies, which present any unusual appearance in the representation of mail.
Dr. Bromet exhibited several rubbings taken from sepulchral brasses by Mrs. Whittam, of Cadogan Place. He described them as illustrative of the kind of armour which was used by gentlemen, or knights of an inferior degree, during the middle and latter part of the sixteenth century.
The Rev. Henry Lindsay, Vicar of Croydon, expressed his wish that some member of the Committee should examine the curious mural painting which has been recently discovered in the church of Croydon, previously to its being concealed again from view, in consequence of the decision of the churchwardens that the whole shall shortly be coloured over. The subject is St. Christopher; a little apart from the principal figure are portraits of. a king and queen, in fair preservation: Mr. Lindsay supposes that they represent Edward III. and Queen Philippa. There are also traces of an inscription.
* ↑ The words inserted within hyphens do not belong to the original Triad, but are the comment of some antiquary, at least as old as the middle of the twelfth century.
* ↑ Calchvynydd in English signifies a lime mountain.
* ↑ A son of Llywarch is said in the "Genealogy" to have lived in the time of Dyvnwal Moelmud, whose era is dated 400 B.C.