Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1877-08-25
FINGER RINGS.
Their Use and sisuiAcatisn-The Historical
NOtsinmce Of NlmGss


N0tsiRnce Of ulmgss
The ring has for many ages formed q
part Of ecclesiastical insignia. It appears
to have had two-fold purpose and sig.
nification-the one as mark of dignity
and authority and the other symbolic OF
the mystical union between the priest.
hood aud the church. Prominent among
these ecclesiastical rings are those worn
by the pope and bishops In variety Of
shapes and ornamentation. The pope
uses ring for the purpose of afiixing
his signature to any doctiments. The
usual types of pontiAcal rings are massive
hooks, with the crossed keys engraved
upon them. In early times they were
made of gilt bronze and set with precious
stones.
Great importance is attached to Epis.
copal rings, which form part Of
ecclesiastical investiture. They are
generally set with sapphire or ruby,
but their shape varies considerably.
Rings as pledges Of betrothal and wed.
ding gifts are of very ancient origin.
The Romans used iron as material for
their rings; this metal was chosen as
symbolic Of the lasting character of the
engagement.
The ring was not used aiiiong Chris.
tians until the year 800. The plain gold
wedding rings which are the fashion
among Anglo-Saxon nations came to us.
rom the Saxons. A curious variety of
the old wedding ring is the iimmel or
gemmon ring, consisting of two or more
links, some plain, others elaborately
ornamented and engraved with sacred
inscriptions. Most curious in shape are
the large and elaborately ornamented
betrothal and marriage rings in use
among the Hebrews. The summit of
hoops is generally surmounted by a
small temple or pyramid shaped tower
opening upon hinge and representing
the ark of the covenant. They are made
for the use of the synagogue, and are
placed on the fingers of the couple at
certain part of the marriage rite.
Many romantic tales are connected
with ring tokens. For Englshmen one
of the most interesting ring tokens is
that which Queen Elizabeth is said to
have given to the Earl of Essex Gin
token of esteem," with the intimation
that if he ever forfeited her favor and it
should be sent back to her, the sight of
it would insure his forgiveness.
Regard rings are OF French origin.
On them words are inscribed by means
of the initials of the precious stones with
which they are set in.
The Prince of Wales. on his marriage
to the Princess Alexandra, gave her as
keeper a ring set with beryl, emerald,
ruby, turqoise, jacinth and emerald
again, spelling thus his familiar name,
BERTHE.
OF remarkable rings there are several
worthy of description. The gold signet
ring of Mary Queen of Scots is one of
them, and is described as being on the
face with the motto, "in defens," and
lcT lululilS, 1u. ". LII tLo llueT Sllle Vi
The seal crowned monogram is en-
graved, formed of the letters NJ. and A.
for Mary and Albany, referring to the
title of Lord Darnley as Duke of AL
oany.
The ring of Henry, Lord Darnley, is
,lso preserved in the South Kensington
1t bears the two initials: IN.
md H." united by lovers knot. In
he hoop is the name engraved: "Henri
L. Darnley," and the year of the mar
iage, 1865.
Shakespeare's signet ring is of toler-
IDLY large size, and evidently a gentle
mans ring of Elizabeth's time. No [
positive proof can be adduced as to the ,
authenticity of the ring having belonged ,
o Shakespeare, yet it is accepted as I
uch, having been found in 1910 by a
aborer's wife upon the surface near the !
Mill adjoining Stratford churchyard.
'he ring is now in the Shakespeare
museum of the town.