The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-08-29
ALFRED THE GREATS JEWEL
curious ana interestinR Relic in the
Ashmoiean Musenm at Ok
ford. kinginnd.

I producing q fac-simile ofthe celebrated
! Alfred jewel, which is deposited in the
Ashmolean museum at Oxford. The.
jewel Is Of priceless value as historic
relic, as well as fine specimen Of rrtis-
tic metal work of the Saxon period. Its
chief interest, however, toi most Eng
Gshmen will be the fact Of its having be-
Ionged to one of the earliest and great
est makers of England, and that its
identity is absolutely authentic. The
following account OF the relic is taken
from Garham's History Of st. Neot's,"
and gives what is known of its history
and preservation:
"This Jewel was found, 1923, at New
ton park, some distance north of Athel-
ney abbey, in Somersetshire, near the
junction of the Parrot and the Thone.
1t is now in the. Ashmolean
museum, Oxford. The form of this jew
el is battledore shape; the diverse is
four-tenths of an inch thick; through
this is seen the miniature, formed of
enameled mosaic, the compartments
being let into cells of gold. The figure
is that of a man holding fleur-de-lis in
each hand. The reverse is detached
plate of gold dying Immediately on the
back of the miniature), on which is ele-
gantly traced feur-de-lis, branching
into three stems. The edge is beyeled
toward the frent, and contains the le-
gend: * Aelfred Nee He HIT Gewyrcan'
(that is: 'Aelfred me ordered to be
wroughtD. This gem terminates in a
grotesque figure, representing on the
diverse the head of some sea monster,
probably (says DR.. Musgrave) dol
phin; on the reverse, the lower jaw is
wanting, its place being supplied by
scaly, fiat surface; the mouth of this
animal embraces a small tube, traversed
by gold pin, apparently rivet, orig
inally passed through some wooden
stem to which it has been fixed, and
which has perished."
Around such an interesting relic of
our early history must necessarily |
have accumulated many legends, con-
lectures and suggestions. The purpose
to which the jewel has been put has
been a much-debated subject. Its APP
pearance at first sight suggests pend
ant to a necklace or collar, but this is
out of the question, as in this position
the figure would be upside down. 1t
has also been supposed that it was used
at the head of standard, and that It
was carried before Alfred's army in his
successful battles with the Danes.
Other and more probable suggestions
are that it was the head of a scepter or
an ornament on the front of helmet
or other head-dress; both these theo-
ries are supported by the presence of
the riyet which still passes through the
hollow mouth of the dolphin or sea
monster which terminates the jewel at
the narrow end, and which must have
been inserted in order to fasten it firm
ly to staff or stem of wood or metal.
1t has been affirmed by Sir Francis
Palgrave that the MOSAIC enamel figure
is of greater sntiquity than the casket
in which tits set, and that it was prob
dUly pTtStHtcu " mig <Alli Sh 40 q uiu-
able relic in his day by Pope Marinus or
some other potentate. The work of the
with its inlaid gold lines, GER
tainly indicates very early period, and
Is unlike the Saxon art in execution.
The golden setting is undoubtedly
Saxon work of very high order, and
indicates much skill in design and
The character of the enameled figure
has been much speculated upon. Some
color has been given to the theory that
1t represented St. Neot by the fact that
st. Neot was known to be Alfred's spir-
itual adviser and to be much yenerated
by him, and that he continually looked
to him for guidance and protection.
Some have thought that it was intended
to represent ST. Cuthbert, and Others
our Saviour, though there seems no war
rant for this latter suggestion in the
design or its ornamental surroundings.
Birmingham (Eng.) Post