safiy^g^g;ggg'^gBy^gMy^8gy^88gy^^ ;iC-flWiC'.''^'7Vv ;'/i\-/K'/iV/K'^lv;K-^i>-/K^riV/K^v>K'/.?>'/K-^i>'/i;-/ivvr<-rjv a^" >{v^M/.';ry >l< •;r;'>i< 'M/-^'«r;0'<'. ^\j^--i. -M;OK'M/>^Li';i;oL^'M;->< THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS ANGLO-SAXONS THE INDUSTRIAL ARTS OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS BY THE BARON J. DE BAYE, Correspondent of the National Society of Antiquaries of France, and of the Ministry of Public Instniction. "Cditb Seventeen Steel plates anO CblrtB=one tTejt Cuts. Translated by T. B. HARBOTTLE. LONDON: SWAN SONNENSCHEIN & CO. NEW YORK: MACiMILLAN & CO. i893- PRINTED BY HAZELL, WATSON, AND VINEY, LIMITED, LONDON AND AYLESBURY. PREFACE [UR knowledge of the Barbarian peoples would be infinitely more exact if historians, in recording the various phases of the great invasions, had studied all the nations who took part in them. Inquiry into the special developments and the particular tribal organisation of each of these numerous hordes provides us with material for a better general knowledge of the others, while the gaps in their annals may be filled by the aid of comparisons founded on ethnographic data. In any review of their origin, of the relations which they established along the line of their migrations, the alliances they contracted, the goal they sought, the treaties by which they bound themselves, their various halting-places before finally settling down — it is imperative that they should all be included in one general survey. These invaders, depicted hitherto in somewhat undecided colours, deserve to be more closely studied. Each tribal unit in turn throws light on its vast family, and illustrates its genera character by similarities in customs, language, industry, and tendencies. The interest attaching to the history of nationalities, and of the transformation effected in them by the incursions of the Barbarian tribes, has encouraged us to publish a sketch of Anglo-Saxon archa;oIogy. The industrial art of these invaders has certain characteristics which distinguish it from other branches of contemporary archaeology. The force of the Anglo-Saxon genius compels recognition, and constitutes one of the most striking features in the physiognomy of the Barbarian nations. We cannot pretend to offer to English archasologists any new or startling discoveries. Anglo-Saxon industrial art has never, it is true, been dealt with as a whole, but its various branches, in all their numberless details, arc none the less well known. It is our desire to provide archaeologists with means of comparison, to enable them to judge from a broader stand- point questions relating to the great invasions. Our essay may serve to render less obscure an episode in the Barbarian epoch of which hardly anything is known on the Continent. Nor is there anything surprising in our design, seeing that historians recognise this period as one of general activity among the Barbarian races. These nations were >-ielding to one universal impulse when they hurled themselves upon the Roman provinces during the decline of the Empire. English archajologists have collected with care the interesting remains of the industrial art of the Anglo-Saxon race. Numerous learned and elaborate monographs have been publishetl, but they have become extremely rare, and no one has as )-et undertaken the production of an archjeological synthesis. We are still waiting for a treatise which shall deal with the subject in its fullest develop- ments, and we should seek in vain in England for a work which woulii give, even in the briefest vi PREFACE. form, a general idea of Anglo-Saxon industries. So numerous are the archaeological publications in England that we cannot hope to furnish English men of science with any fresh materials. Vet this very abundance of matter leads us to think that the time is come to attempt an essay which shall afford an opportunity of acquiring some general idea of Saxon antiquities, the peculiarities of which are so deeply interesting to archreologists. So vast is the field to be explored that these preliminary observations will be necessarily incomplete. Our work will be limited to a simple but useful summary of the archaeology of the Anglo-Saxon period. Wc have already published some notes of a similar character on Lombard industries. ^ We are starting, amidst numberless difficulties, on a line of investigation which, witli time, may be brought to the desired state of perfection. Mean\\hile the grouping of the materials relating to the industries of the Barbarian period will be of incontestable utility. It must be admitted that the archreology of the invaders has been hitherto neglected in France, in England, and else- where. The Roman period and the Middle Ages have received much more attention, and have been much more closely studied. The period of transition between these two epochs has been the subject of investigations on the lines of history, of philology, and of ethnology ; but its archc-EoIogical side has remained buried in oblivion. The Romans scornfully designated as ]?arbarians all those nations which did not belong to the sovereign people ; yet these nation- alities possessed an art which did not merit the scorn poured out with too great severity upon the invaders of the Empire. The epoch of the invasions was the great prelude to the Middle Ages ; this prelude deserves our most serious attention, for it is the introduction to the study of our civilisation. The domain of archaeology among the Barbarian nations contains immense riches, for it covers enormous territories. The problems which it offers for solution arc complex, owing to the variety of the subjects it includes, and to the vast extent of its geographical area. We have to go back to the origin of these peoples, accompany them on their march, and trace their development, in order to recognise the forms assumed by their art in each of the different nationalities which they formed. As objects of study, the Barbarian nations are so closely bound up together that isolated investigation is impossible. Only when it lias been studied, and interpreted as a whole, will the epoch of the invasions be .ightly understood. In recording the principal features of the Anglo-Saxon family wc hope to find imitators, and thus succeed in reproducing the general physiognomy of the liirbarian peoples. The English have been scrupulously careful to preserve all such antiquities as had relation to their history. Their public and private collections are numerous, and their dis- coveries have supplied matter for numerous publications. As early as the last century Faussett and Douglas occupied themselves in determining the features which distinguished Anglo-Sa.xon art from the industrial products characteristic of the Roman occupation. The Neiiia Britannica of Douglas, printed in 1793, is worthy of attention, as indicating, in various ways, the first appearance of a still youthful science. The Archceologtcal Album (1845), and The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, by Thomas Wright, have next to be noticed, the latter work, first published in 1852, liaving already gone through five editions. The Inventoriuiii Sepulchrale, by the Rev. Bryan Faussett, written between 1757 and 1773, was published in 1856, with an introduction and notes by Mr. Roach Smith. Next comes the Hone Ferales of Kemble. Mr. Yonge Akcrman ' Etudes ArMologiqucs. lipoqiic des Invasions Barbarcs. Industrie Longobarde. Paris, 1888. PREFACE. vii published, in 1847, an ArcluEological Index, and in 1855 Remains of Pagan Saxondoiu. Mr. Roach Smith produced, between 1843 and 1868, a series of seven volumes, called Collectanea Antiqua, in which Anglo-Saxon archajology plays a very important part. W'c must further mention Mr. Neville's Saxon Obsequies, an account of the cemetery at Little VVilbraham, which appeared in 1852, and Mr. Wylie's Fairford Graves, published in the same year. The English reviews, especially Aniucologia, the Ayclucological Journal, the Proceedings of t/ie Society of Antiquaries of London, and the Journal of the British Arcluvological Association, have published a considerable scries of articles on Anglo-Saxon antiquities. These publications are in general confined to a single locality, sometimes to a county, as in the case of the Inventoriuin Sepulclirale and the Nenia Britannica, which deal specially with Anglo-Saxon barrows in Kent. Kemble's The Saxon in England^ contains some valuable historical documents. From the anthropological point of view, the Crania Britannica'^ is full of information concerning the bones found in Anglo-Saxon tombs. It is noticeable that the period during which the most important works on the Anglo- Saxons were published in England is contemporaneous with the explorations of the Abbe Cochet in Normandy. This eminent antiquary gave a great impetus to archaeological research. Since the appearance of the Inventoriuin Scpulchrale and the HorcB Ferales, though investigations have not been exactly abandoned, little has resulted from them beyond review articles. We have drawn upon these scattered sources of information for our sketch of the general position. The knowledge of the archaeology of the great invasion has an inter- national value for those countries in which the Barbarians have left traces of importance. We shall necessarily obtain but an imperfect result, but our observations will at least form one more factor in the study of the Barbarian epoch. ' London, 1849. - Thumam and Davis, Cratiia Britannica. London, 1S65. CONTENTS PREFACE... THE INVADERS OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE FIFFH CENTURY The Jutes ... The Saxons The Angles The Frisians The Anglo-Saxons ANGLO-SAXON ARMS The Sword The Spear The Angon The Scramasaxe The Battle-axe The Bow and Arrows The Shield ANGLO-SAXON FIBUL.E Radiated FiBUL/f: S-SHAPED Fibula Bird-shaped Viv/cLAi Cruciform Fiisul.-e ... Square-headed F'ibul^, CUPELLIFORM OR SaUCER-SHA PED FiBUL.-v: Annular Fibula: Kentish Circular Fibul^I'; ... Cloisonne Jewellery in England ... I'AGK V I 2 4 7 '3 13 20 25 27 29 30 32 37 40 43 44 45 50 54 5« 62 68 CONTENTS CHATELAINES, OR CIRDEE-HANGERS . NECKLACES AND CLASS HEADS (Jrvsiai. Halls EAR RINCS, HAIRPINS, AND COMBS Haiki'ins CO.MUS BUCKLES... Stkels BUCKETS... (iLASS VASES POTTERY... an(;lo-saxon graves ... 74 76 79 84 85 87 90 96 97 104 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT. KiG. 1. Sword-hilt from Coombe (Kent) ... 2. Sword-hilt from Reading (Berks) 3. Spear-head from Homblieres (Aisne) 4. Spear-head from Immenstedt (Schleswig) 5. Knife from Beakesbourne (Kent) 6. Umbo from Barrington (Cambridgeshire) 7. Fibula, in Silver-gilt, from Faversham (Kent). South Kensin 8. Fragment of Fibula from the same locality g. Fibute from Faversham (Kent) ... 10. Cruciform Fibulae 11. ]''ibula from Ragley Park (Warwickshire) ... 12. Coin of King Offa 13. 14. Fibulae from Fairford (Gloucestershire) 15. Fibulae from Livonia (Russia) 16. Fibula: from Sleaford (Lincolnshire) 17. Fibula from Faversham (Kent) ... 18. Back and Side View of a Fibula from Kingston 19. Glass Beads from Sibertswold (Kent) 20. Crystal Ball from Chatham (Kent) 21. Buckle from Kingston Down 22. Buckle from Gilton (Kent) 23. Buckle from Gilton, near Ash 24. Buckle from Smithfield ... 25. Fragment from Gilton (Kent) 26. Bucket from Envermeu (Normandy) 27. Bucket from Verdun (Lorraine) ... 28. Glass Vase from Faversham (Kent) 29. Glass Vases from England, France, and Germany 30. Urn from Kingston, near Derby 31. Mortuary Urns ■ton Mu: 17 '9 -.? 24 27 35 41 42 44 47 51 56 58 59 61 67 7' 77 8r 9' 92 93 95 99 101 1 01 107 IO(; 1 14 I I .■) LIST OF PLATES. I. Spears and Angons. II. Umi;ones. III. Radiated Fibulae. IV. Bird-shaped Fibul/E, Hairpins, S-shaped 1''ibul.k. V. Cruciform Fibul-e. VI. Cruciform and Square-headed Fibul/E. VII. Square-headed Fibulae. VIII. Saucer-shaped Fiuvlje. IX. Annular Fibulae. X. Kentish Circular FiBUL.ii. XI. Girdle-hangers. XII. Buckles. XIII. SiTUL^E OR Buckets. XIV. Glass Vases. XV. Glass Vases. XVI. Pottery. XVII. Pottery. THE INVADERS OF GREAT BRITAIN IN THE FIFTH CENTURY. THNOGRAPHY and Archa:;ology afford each other much mutual aid, and their reciprocal influence throws a tlood of light on the facts of history. A knowledge of the tribes which invaded Great Britain in the fifth and sixth centuries, must assuredly assist, in no ordinary degree, in the study of the industrial arts of the Anglo-Saxons. The general anthropology of the primitive races of England is still shrouded in obscurity, but it is no part of our task to attempt to disperse the darkness. The necessary ethnographic inquiries are of course confined to the subject which we have to treat, and we must restrict our list to the races which occupied England after the retreat of the Roman armies. The Jutes, the Saxons and the Angles, are the principal races, coming from the north of Germany, which founded permanent colonies in Britain.^ The Frisians also established settlements of a lasting character, but of less importance. This is the most generally received opinion, but it is not held by all English historians.^ The nations above named are those most frequently mentioned in history, but prior to the period of the invasions, the coasts of Great Britain were constantly visited by corsairs belonging to other Scandinavian tribes. Indeed, a legion which was sent by Honorius to aid the Britons against the Picts and Scots, was also employed in driving out certain Barbarian pirates.' These general remarks are indispensable for a proper understanding of the archceological peculiarities noticeable ^ Pinkerton, Rec/ierches sitr POrigiiie et les divers Etablisieinoiti des Scythes on Got /is, [>. 321. I'aris, 1804. Translated from Dissertation on the Origin and /'rogress of tlie Sijthians and Goths. J.ondon, 1787. ^ "One very large body of Saxon population occupied the present Westphalia, but the tribes by whom Britain was invaded appear principally to have proceeded from the country now called Friesland ; for of all the Continental dialects the ancient Frisick is the one which approaches most nearly to the Anglo-Saxon of our ancestors " (Palgrave, History of the Anglo-Saxons, chap. ii). ' Ed. de Muralt, Essai de Chronograpliie Byzantine, p. St. Petersburi: 18 03- 2 THE INVADERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. in the burial-places of the Barbarians. The numerous tribes which started from the Cimbric Chersonese, in the course of their constantly renewed attacks, lelt traces so various in character, that it is idle to look for any luiiformity of type in their mortuary furniture.' There can be no doubt that the groups of invaders classed as Angles, .Saxons and Jutes, were in reality composed of many different tribes ; and this fact helps to explain the peculiarities and special characteristics which we note in their cemeteries." THE JUTES. The Jutes occupy the first place in chronological order, among the invaders of Great Britain.^ They commenced the conquest by establishing themselves in Kent, and soon afterwards the Saxons obtained a foothold on the south and a portion of the east coast.^ Historians generally place the settlement of the latter tribe in Kent at a later date, but these differences of opinion are probably more apparent than real, for the discrepancies in the matter of date no doubt arise from the habit of describing all the Invading tribes by the generic name of Saxons. The various acquisitions of the Jutes, the Saxons and the Angles have been grouped together, and dealt with as a whole, because they have only been submitted to a cursory examination.' The Jutes or JutI were a people belonging to the Gothic family.'' Their name assumes many different forms. The Gioti are the Jutes, whose name Is preserved in Jutland. They are also called Glotes or Jutes.' By other historians they are called GeatunI, Jotuni, or Guti, the G in this name, according to Grotius, being changed Into J. In the opinion of this historian the words Guti and Gothi are synonymous.* In some writers we find also the forms GoutI, Gioti, and Giothl.'' Gothi and Guthre again refer to the same nation.'" Ducange gives nearly all these varieties, ' Thurnam and Davis, Crania Bri/aiuiica, chap, vi., p. So. Eondon, 1865. ^ ^\'ylie, Fairford Graves, p. 23. ' Pinkcrton, Rcclierches sur I'Origiiie et ks divers Elablisseinenis des Scythes on Goths, p. 321. Paris, 1804. ■• Freeman, The Historical Geography 0/ Europe, p. 97. Eondon, 1881. ^ Pinkerton, Reclierches. " Dezobry and 13achclet, Dictionnairc de Biographic et d'llistoirc. Paris, 1869. ' Doutes ct Conjectures sur Ics Huns du Nord, p. 27, Ijy Jac(jucs (iraherg of Hcniso. I''lorence, 1810. *' " Outas, niiod nonicn si qiiis a (loiliis difforrc putat, valdc fallitur " {JJistoria Gothoruin ab Hugone Grolio, p. 17. Amstelodani, Clo lot^'EV. I'reface). '■" " Florcntii Wigorniensis ad Ciironicum Appendix" (Zeuss, J)ie Dcutschen, Municii). '" "Gothi et Gutha; eadem gens" {Gothoruni Sueonunupie Historia, p. 5. I. .Magnus, 1617). THE JUTES. 3 and adds to them " Getai, the name by which they were known to the Romans, Geatas, in use amongst the Anglo-Saxons, and Joet, a word belonging to the old Gothic tongue." ' The word Jute is derived probably from Juto, whence also we have Juthia and Juthonia.' \"it:e is also given as an altered form of Juti.'' The name, under its various transformations, was used to designate the invaders of Great liritain.' The Jutes, who inhabited the Cimbric Chersonese, came from Jutland, to which they gave their name. The united tribes which bore the name of Saxons included not only the Saxons of Ptolemy, but also probably the Frisians, the Angles and the Jutes." Bede also points to Jutland as the land oi their origin," and Adam of Bremen expresses the same opinion." In fact the starting-point of the Jutes has never given rise to any discussion, all the writers who have dealt with the subject being in complete accord. The Jutes established themselves in Kent in 449, several historians averring that they were the first invaders who formed permanent settlements. "" The limits of the Kentish Jutes have been clearly determined." The arrival of the Jutes, and other tribes known in England under the name of Saxons, is almost coincident with the appearance in Gaul of the northern nation called the Franks.'" The united tribes which bore the name of Saxons included probably Frisians, Angles and Jutes. These latter have been considered as repre- sentatives of the Teutons, having undergone a series of transformations.^' The Jutes were Goths, while, according to Cluver, the Angles inhabited a country which lay between the Saxons and the Giothi. The Goths, the Danes, and even the Gepides came in ancient times from Scanzia.'- The Jutes were closely allied with the Saxons, and belonged to the same confederation. For example, we find among the edicts ' Ducange, Glossarium. ^ "Quod cum Saxones prudentius considerasscnt, mox anna in ] )ano.s ducc (luodam Jutlionc (a quo Juthia vel Juthoiiia nomen accepit) convcrtobant " {Gol/ioni/n Siiconumqite Historia, auctorc I. Magno, lib. ii., cap. 2). 3 Pliilippi Cliiverii Geriiiania Antii/iia, p. 321. Leyden, 1616. — Pinkcrton, Rtrhcn-hcs, p. 321. ■' Henrici Iluntendonensis Ilistoria Angloruin, lib. v. ; Flurcii/ii Wigoniiensis ad Cliroiiicon Appmdix. ^ Thurnam and Davis, Crania Britaninca, chap, vi., p. 1S2. London, 1865. — Zcuss, Die Dcii/sc/icii, pp. 146 and 499. Munich, 1837. •^ Bede, Ilistoria Ecclesiastica Gen/is Anglorniii, i., 15. '' Zeuss, Die Deii/scheii, p. 501. ** Malte-]]run, Geographic Universelie, vol. i., p. 211. " Roach Smith, I'rcface to Fau.ssetfs Invciitoriinii Sepiilcliralc, p. 411. '" Collectanea Antiijua, vol. ii., 1852, p. 203. — Dr. Lagneaii, Aiithiopologie de la France, p. 752. " Crania Britannica. '^ Ilistoria Gotlwrinn aJi Ilugonc Grotio, p. 10. Scriptor chorographici non cditi : " (^)nam ct Joh\i^ie, p. 752, ■'' Baudot, Sepultures Barlmres de VEpoque Aferovingieniie, p. 139. '' Lettres Philosophiques et Politiques sur I'l/istoire de F Angleterre. London and I'aris, 17S6, 1. i., letter vi. ' Cluver, Germania Antiqua, p. 87. " Henri Martin, Hist, de France, t. i., p. 116. * Pauli Orosii adversus Pag^anos Historiaruiu liliri septe/n, p. 642. Cologne, 1582. '" " Hostis est oinni hoste truculentior. Imiirovisus aggreditur, pra;visus elabitur, spcrnit objectos, stcrnit ineautos ; si sequatiir, intercijiit, si fugiat evadit. Ad hoc cxercent illos, naufragia non terrcnt. Est eis quajdani cum discriminibus pelagi non notitia solum, sed familiaritas " (Apollinaris Sidonius, Epist., 8, 6). 6 THE INVADERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. two attempts, in establishing themselves in Great Britain in 477. Other dates have been named, but the discrepancies arise from the habit of certain historians of giving the generic title of Saxons to Jutes and Angles. As we have already said, they belonged to a league which included several neighbouring tribes on the borders of the Cimbric Chersonese. When they made their first descent in Great Britain, the Saxon colonisation was of very little importance ; indeed, some historians allege that the invaders only numbered eighteen hundred. After their first successes this small band was joined by some five thousand.' They first made good their footing, at a date which has not been definitely fixed, on the coast of Cantium or Kent, a country which had already suffered from determined hostile raids, and their landing was followed by a desperate struggle. The question whether these tribes were mercenaries, or simply invaders,'^ is one on which there is some difference of opinion. Undoubtedly, however, the country was energetically defended by its inhabitants, and the Saxon colony had to suffer many serious reverses. The attitude adopted by the Saxons towards the Britons, is not made very clear in the historical documents ; what is certain is that they were obeying the general impetus which drove the invading tribes to seek richer countries and more fertile soils." Their final success was assured by the steady flow of reinforcements from their native country, and they were rapidly enabled to exercise a predominating influence, which increased as time went on. The Saxons have left remarkable traces of their industrial art. Certain weapons and ornaments are attributable to their civilisation in particular. We will only say here, however, that archseologically, their existence is fully demonstrated, Saxon barrows being characterised by the presence of ornaments and other objects of a distinctive character. The industrial types in favour with them were brought from their own country, though they were subject to the inevitable modifications produced by lapse of time. The Saxons also founded colonies in Gaul and in Lombardy.' The Lombards, in ' D'Anville, Elats fonni's en Europe aprls !a Cliiile de I' Empire Romain, p. 201. - "Tunc Angloriim sive Saxonuni gens iuvitata a rege pritfato 15ritanniam, tribus longis navihus advthitur, ct in Oriental! parte insuloe jubenti eodem regc, locum manendi, quasi pro jialria jtugnatura, re autem vera hanc expugnatura suscepit " (Bede, Historia Ecclenastica Gentis Anglorio/i, lib. i., ca[). xv). — Litlres P/iilosophu/ucs ct Po/i/iqiies siir rilistoire de rAngleterre, t. i., letter vi. ^ "Saxonum gens, sicut tradit antiquitas, ab Anglis Jiritannia; incolis egressa, per Oceanum navigans, Oermani;^ litoribus studio ct necessitate (puBrendarum sedium appulsa est, in loco qui vocalur Hadulopha, eo tempore t(Uo Thiotricus, rex Krancorum, contra Irminfridum, gcnerum simm, duceni Tlniringorum, dimicans, terram eorum ferro vastavit et igni " (Trans. Sci. Alexandri, Afoiiumenla Gerinatiiic, I'ertz, ii., 574). ■• Paul Diacre, bk. ii., chap, vi., and Or. de Tours, J fist. Ecclesiast. des Fraid's, bk. iv., chap, xliii. THE ANGLES. 7 Germany, formed a part of the ancient league of the Suevi, and probably also of the more modern one of the Saxons.' It is hardly likely, however, that the Saxons in these different countries found conditions in all respects similar to those of the invaders of Great Britain ; indeed, the variations due to differences of period and locality must necessarily have been considerable. The name of Saxon, becoming more widely applied as time went on, was eventually given to several different tribes. Again, Saxon colonies might be attracted to different regions, and form settlements there, without introducing their civilisation in its fullest and purest form. The distinction made by history between the ancient Saxons and the emigrants is certainly based on solid grounds.- Before their migration, the Saxons, as we have already remarked, formed with the Jutes and the Angles a confederation of a nature to suggest that these tribes had a common origin, or at least very intimate relations with each other. The different phases of the settlement of these invading hordes in Great Britain, and their eventual fusion, go far to prove the existence of those homogeneous elements which render amalgamation easy.'' This rapid summary of the ethnographical data will certainly facilitate a correct understanding of the archaiological remains which arc attributed to them. THE ANGLES. The etymology of the name Angles — Angli, 'AyyiXoi ' — is apparently to be found in Angul.'' The tribe of the Angles inhabited the southern extremity of Schleswig. They are placed by Tacitus and Ptolemy" among the Suevi of lower Saxony," while in a passage of the Orbis Gothicus they are ranked with the Suevi." The Angles then belonged to the ancient Suevic league, and probably also to the more recent league ^ Comte Balbo, Histoire dV/alie, t. i., p. 127. Paris, i860. ^ Sir F. Palgrave, History of the Anglo-Saxons, chap. ii. ' Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 23 : " There is little doubt that the great divisions of the invaders we classify as Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, were formed of many and varying tribes, who coalesced for the common purpose of conquest." ■* Procopius. ^ " Angul, a cjuo gentis Anglica; principia manasse memorire proditum est, nomcn suum provincial, cui prceerat, aptandum curavit, levi monumcnti genere perennem sui notitiam traditurus. Cujus successores postmodum Britannia potiti, [iriscum insula; nomen novo patria; sux' vocahulo permutarunt. . . . Testis est Beda" {Danoriiin Reguni Ileroiinuiue Historia a Sa.xone Grammatico, 15 14). •^ Dictio7inairc dc Gcvgrapkie Ancienne. Didot, 187 i. ' " Interiores autem ct niediterranea; gentes, maxime sunt Suevi, .Angli " (Ptolemy, Ve German., lib. ii., cap. ii). " Matthfei Prxtorii, Or/ns Gothicus, 1688, bk. i., chap. v. 8 THE INVADERS OF GREAT BRITAIN, of tin- Saxdiis.' luhclwcrd assig-ns the same territory to them,- as also does Cluver interpreting Ptolemy. ' Further, Palgrave and Duckett assert that the Angles were neighbours of the Saxons and the Jutes, and inhabited Schleswig-Holstein.'' The Angles, though really under Saxon domination, yet gave their name to the nation. Their triumph in this respect appears largely due to the inlluence of Bede, the title of whose work, Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglornm, must have contri- buted to this result. By an edict of Egbert this was mad(^ the legal designation of the inhabitants of Britain. ' The pioneers of the Angles made a descent upon Bernicia in 547, after which date the country previously occupied by them on the continent appears to have been entirely abandoned.'' Numerous cemeteries are assigned to the Angles."^ There is thus evidence, and indeed complete proof, of their existence, from the point of view of archaeology. Later on, the amalgamation of the Angles with the Saxons, was largely instrumental in causing confusion between the handiwork of the two nations. It is difficult for a conquered tribe, downtrodden, and scattered amongst other victorious peoples, to leave any demonstrable proofs of its separate existence. THE FRISIANS. The Jutes, the Saxons and the Angles, were the tribes most conspicuously concerned in the invasion of Great Britain, but it must be admitted that among the invaders was a certain admixture of the Frisian element. Procopius, in fact, mentions the Frisians, VTo Koi /Sa/jti'ut? //-a^^ai/jai?. 5 " Hkc gens animosa feroces fert animos ; sed e(iuos adeo non ducere cauta. Ictilnis illoruni, ([uani lancea, plus valet ensis, nam nee equus docte manibus giratur eorum ; nee validos ietus dat lancea ; pra;minet ensis ; sunt enim longi speeialiter et peracuti illorum gladii ; i)ercussum a vertice corpus scindere scepe solent ; et firmo stant pede postquam deponuntur equis, potius certauda perire quam dare terga volunt ; magis hoe sunt uuute timendi, quam dum sunt etjuites ; tanta est audaeia gentis." 1 6 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. Manv centuries earlier Tacitus wrote that the Germani rarely used the sword ; the phrase rai'i o/adiis utuntur has often been quoted by those archaeologists who have studied the Barbarian epoch. The sword blades from Kent are usually of identical length, about seventy-eight centimetres.' The swords found at Ozingell (Kent), in the Isle of Wight, at Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire), and other places, are about the same size, — near the hilt the blade is about seven centimetres wide, and narrows gradually towards the point.- The hilts of Anglo-Saxon swords, which have generally no pommel, end in a small cross piece, to which was fixed the wood which completed the hilt. The specimens discovered by l\Ir. Hillier'' answer to the above description, and represent the ordinary type of Anglo-Saxon sword. The point of the sword is often hidden from view ' owing to the bronze at the extremity of the scabbard being rusted on to it. It must not, however, be taken for granted that these peculiarities are always met with, for a few swords provided with pommels have been found in some of the Kentish barrows. ' We must, however, remark that richly decorated sword-hilts are still rarer." Mr. Kemble, in estimating the usual size of the swords, gives them an extreme length, from pommel to point, of ninety centimetres. The sword-guard is often missing, but the remains of hilts in ivory, bone, or some other perishable material, are frequently discovered." The scabbard was of wood, covered with leather, some- times with ornamentation in bronze. An interesting account of these ancient scabbards is given by the Monk of St. Gall in his description of the costume of the Franks.** Among the rare swords which are rendered exceptionally remarkable by their artistically ornamented hilts, we must mention those coming from Gilton, near Sandwich,' and from Coombe"' (fig. i). This interesting specimen was found in ' Throughout this work I have retained the metrical dimensions given by tiie author, as being more accurate than ]'".ngiish measures, and thoroughly familiar to all students of these subjects. — Tr. - The l)lunt points of these long blades were of little avail for thrusting. This is pointed out by .Apollinaris Sidonius in his account of a victory of the Franks over the (loths : "Alii heljetatorum ca^de gladiorum latera dentata pernumerunt. Alii cxsim atque punctius foraminatos cireulos loricarum metiuntur" (i,ib. ii., ep. 3). ■* History and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight, pi. i. ' Fairford Graves, pi. iii., and Saxon Obse<]uies, pi. xxxi\'. ■' Invcnioriiini Sepulchrale, pi. xiv., fig. 6. '' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventoriiini Sepulclirale. ' Hone Ferales, descrii)tion of pi. xxvi. ■^ " I'ost h;ec baltheus spat;e colligatus. Qua; spata prinio vagina fagea, secundo corio (jualunque, lerlio iineamine candidissimo cera lucidissima roborato, ita cingebatur '' (De Reb. Gest. Caroli M., lib. i., lk Archaolo^iiail Institute, \ol. i., p. 27. 2 " When he did off from liiniself His iron coat of mail, The hehiiet from his head. Grave his ornamented sword, The costliest of steels." {Beo'cvulf, line 1346.) " And tlie hilt also, With treasure variegated." {BeowiilJ\ line 3228.) 1 8 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. Mr. Rolfe's collection contains a sword-hilt bearing an inscription in Runic characters — an interesting piece, which was found in the parish of Ash, near Sand- wich.^ Mention is made in Beowulf of swords ornamented with Runic characters and interlaced serpents.' Some time back a very remarkable sword, richly decorated, was found at Reading. We consider the hilt worthy of rejiroduction here, as a typical specimen of Anglo-Saxon art (fig. 2). The pommel and guard are in white metal, resembling an alloy of pale copper and silver. The guard is ornamented with rudely sculptured figures of men and animals. This weapon, when discovered, was lying beneath the skeleton of a horse, and the blade was bent from the pressure of the animal's ribs. Only the metal portion of the sword still exists, the ivory fittings having, almost immediately after its discovery, fallen into dust. The human bones and the horse's skeleton were well preserved.^ The scarcity of swords in Anglo-Saxon barrows finds a parallel in the results of explorations in Germany. The cemeteries of Selzen and Sinzheim have yielded very few swords in proportion to the number of burials. At Sinzheim some eighty graves yielded four swords ; forty graves at Oberflacht furnished eight swords ; and excavations in the north of Germany have given appro.ximately the same results. Spears, on the contrary, are more numerous. Kemble, from a group of six hundred graves at Liineburg, though several spears were discovered, did not exhume a single sword ; and Count Miinster, in his ex^Dlorations on the banks of the Weser, obtained similar results. Baron Estorff has also recorded the rarity of the sword, while the same conclusions have been deduced from excavations in Livonia and other countries. ' Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pi. xxiv., fig. 3. ^ " He gazed upon the hilt, The old legacy On which was written the origin Of the ancient contest. So was on the surface Of the Ijright gold In Runic letters, Rightly marked, Set and said. For whom that sword. The choicest of irons, Was first made With twisted hilt and serpentine." {Bi'inuu/f, line 3373-) ^ Proceedings of the Society of Anti(/uaries of London, 2nd series, vol. iii., no. vii., p. 467. THE SWORD. 19 We have already referred to the very small proportion of swords found in Anglo- Saxon cemeteries, and the following figures will serve to confirm our statement. "'""'11H iiiiiiii ■■■■•■' Tic. 2, SwoRD-iiiLT irom Rf.ading, Bi:uks. At Little Wilbraham from one hundred and eighty-eight graves only four swords were taken. ^ The cemetery of I'"aversham,'"' Kent, furnished about twenty ' Saxon Obsequies. ^ C. Roach Smith, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon and other Antujiiities disem'ered at Favershain, in Kent, and bequeathed by IV. Gibbs to the South Kensington Museum. London, 1873. 20 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. swords, now in the South Kensington Museum, and the collection of Humphrey Wood of Chatham. The two hundred and seventy-two graves examined by Mr. Brent at Sarre yielded twenty-six swords, a relatively large number. Bryan Faussett gives sixteen only as the result of the exploration of eight hundred and three graves.^ In the cemetery of Ozingell, near Sarre, in the Isle of Thanet, a larger number were found ; but, on the other hand, Mr. Akerman examined seventy graves in the cemetery of Harnham Hill, near Salisbury,' without discovering a single specimen. THE SPEAK. When the Barbarian conquerors first stepped on the stage of the world's history they appeared armed with the formidable spear. Our imagination, inlluenced by legendary tales, always pictures these invaders of the Roman Empire brandishing the menacing spear with which they were identified ; while the teachings of history have, in this instance, been enforced and popularised by the fine arts. The young freeman, in accordance with the custom of the Barbarian nations, received the spear, or " framea," as soon as he was of an age to bear arms. This practice, which was common to all the Teutonic tribes, was maintained by the Saxons, whose national arms were the spear and the javelin.' These customs explain the frequent recur- rence of the spear, of different forms and dimensions,^ in Anglo-Saxon barrows. The types discovered in the Germanic cemeteries throughout Europe reappear almost without exception in England. Spears, the use of which was so universal, may be divided into two classes, differing in the mode of manufacture — tho.se, namely, with cylindrical sockets, and those in which the socket is slit on one side. Anglo-Saxon spears belong to the second class, the socket, throughout its length, being open on one side, leaving the shaft exposed to view. This peculiarity enables us easily to distinguish the Anglo-Saxon spear from that of the Danes, which also is foundin England. In France and Germany it is the second type of spear-head which is most common, but in the Lombard cemetery of Testona, and in the specimens pre- ' Invcntonum Scpiik/irak.--iSi\\\.ov\, 1 06 graves, 7 swords; Kingston Down, 308 graves, r sword; Sihcrtswold, 181 graves, 7 swords. 2 Akerman, Jycmaiiis of I'lti^aii Sa.\0!idi»ii, p. 49. London, 1S53. ■' Ibidem, p. 48. ' Kemhlc, l/onc /■'(nt/cs, pi. xxvii., p. 86. — Roach Sinitli, Introduction to Faussett's Tnveiiforiuiii Sipukhrale, p. x.wvii. THE SPEAR. 21 served in the Brera Museum at Milan, the sockets are, without exception, round. The different methods adopted by the armourers of the Lombards and the Saxons have survived the close relationship existing between these tribes. .Spears are occasionally found the sockets of which are bound round with strong rings, with a view of giving additional solidity to the shaft. Several pieces from the cemetery of Ozingell are provided with these rings, ^ and sockets of a similar character have been found in the graves of Nydam, in the Schleswig marshes." Spears and javelins are often included under the same denomination, their use having been in many cases identical. It is therefore impossible to treat of them under separate headings. It is frequently very difficult to distinguish a small spear from a large javelin, and a similar difficulty arises in dealing with a certain type of arrow and the smaller javelins.'' In the latter case, however, there was no error in classing them together, the so-called arrows being in reality genuine javelins. Several archaeologists have made a special study of spear-heads coming from various localities. Mr. Akerman has examined the spears from Driffield (pi. i., fig. 5) and Harnham (pi. i., figs. 4 and 6). He records their large size and their resemblance, in the length of the blade, to similar weapons coming from other Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. Mr. Wylie, among the specimens found at Fairford, notices one of exceptional size, and another which resembles the bayonet in form. The excavations at Barrington (Cambridgeshire) provided Mr. Foster with fifteen specimens.'*' Faussett found thirty-five spears in the three cemeteries of Gilton, Kingston Down, and Sibertswold." Neville gives the number of these weapons unearthed at Little Wilbraham as thirty-five ;" while Mr. Roach Smith calculates that forty-five were taken from the barrows of Fa\'ersham.' These latter cemeteries are thus remarkable for the number of spears they yielded. Spear-shafts were, as a rule, shod with iron ferules,^ by means of which they could be planted obliquely in the ground to serve as a line of defence, and to aid in repelling a charge of cavalry. The presence of this iron foot enables Mr. ^ Roach Smith, CoUedmua Aniiqita, vol. iii., fig. 20. ^ Engelhardt, Deiunark in the Early Iron yl^c, pi. xi. Nydani, fig. 39. ' Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, p. 20. London, 1853. ^ Account of the Excavation of an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Barrington, p. 12. Cambridge, 1S83. ^ Bryan Faussett, Horce Fcrales, p. 83. '' Neville, Saxon Obsequies, p. 8, and pis. xwv. and xxxvi. London, 1852. '' Roach Smith, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon and other Antiquities discovered at Favcrsham, Kent, pi. xi. London, 1873. ** Akerman, in his Remains of Pagan Saxondom (Introduction, p. ix., pi. ix., fig. 3), and Mr. Wylie in Fairford Graves (pi. xi., fig. 8), have given illustrations of spear-ends. Mr. Roach Smith also refers to them in his Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities in the South Kensington Museum. 2 2 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. Akennan to measure the ordinary length of the spear, which he puts at i metre 80 centimetres. Kemble is of opinion that the spear-head varied in length from 12 to 90 centimetres. In one case the position of the shaft in the grave has been deter- mined by the presence of a line of decayed wood, with an iron ferule. This spear was I metre 40 centimetres in length. The length of the spear-heads examined by Mr. Wright is given by him as being from 30 to 45 centimetres.' The distinctive feature of the Anglo-Saxon spear is a rather short socket. Three centimetres from the socket the spear-head takes a slight bend outward, then widens considerably (as in fig. 3, pi. i.), and finally diminishes gradually to form the point. This type of spear is peculiar to England," and appears to have been adopted as well for the larger as for those of small dimensions. The smaller heads were probably those of the framea'' or javelin. We must also notice, in addition to the spears above mentioned, a missile weapon, the two blades of which were not in the same plane.^ We reproduce two specimens (pi. i., figs. 4 and 6) giving the horizontal section. The unequal surfaces recall the Hottentot assegai and certain weapons still in use in the East Indies, and this similarity has not escaped the attention of English archaeo- logists.' This arrangement of the blades imparted to the weapon in its flight a rotary motion of increasing velocity." Missiles of this character are only met with in Anglo-Saxon graves, but a somewhat similar idea is occasionally revealed on the Continent. Thus a spear was found at Homblieres (Aisne),' the blades of which start from different points of the central shaft. By the kindness of M. Pilloy we are enabled to give an illustration of it (fig. 3). This form is different from the Anglo-Saxon type, but the section shows that the weapon was intended to assume a rotary motion in its flight. English savants have, in the past, aided considerably in dispelling the erroneous notions current with regard to barbed lances, which for a considerable period were looked upon as angons."* These spears, which were intended to catch the shield, could not possibly be used as missile weapons, and, further, they are very rarely found in Barbarian cemeteries. Lindenschmit, indeed, hesitates to enumerate them ' Th. Wright, Tlie Celt, the Roman, and the Sa.xon, p. 474. ^ There is, however, a specimen from the cemetery of Furfooz, now in the Museum at Namur (Belgium), which has some analogy with the type in question. ^ The English verb to frame, or forge, is connected with the word framea. ■* Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, Introduction. ■'' Kemble, If one Ferales, p. .87. " "Sedillam (hastam) turbine terribilem tanto et stridore volantem " (7//6' IValthar/iede, v., 1289). ' Pilloy, Etudes sur d'Anciens Lieiix dc Sepultures dans I'Aisne, p. 232. * Arclucologia, vol. xxxv. THE SPEAR 23 as a distinct type, though he mentions a few specimens as having been found in Germany.' They are, in fact, widely distributed. M. Calandra has described those of Testona- (Italy), M. Namur those of Luxemburg.^ M. Baudot mentions their existence in Burgundy,' and M. de Bonstetten in Switzerland,'' while the Abbe Cochet has met with them in Normandy."^ In Belgium several examples are preserved in the museums of Charleroi and Namur. Fig. 3. Spear-head from Hombli£res (Aisne). Lastly, Champagne, especially the cemetery of Oyes, has furnished us with specimens of this rare weapon.' * Lindenschmit, Hatidbuch der deutschcn Alterthumskunde, p. 176. — M.iyence Museum. Bessungen graves, Darmstadt Museum. 2 Calandra, Di una Necropoli barbarica scoperta a Testona. From tlic proceedings of the Sodcta d' ArrhcEo/ogia e belle arti., vol. iv. Turin. ' Publications of Societe Archcologiqiie de Liixembouri:;. •• Memoire sur les Sepultures Barbares de rEpoque Aferovingienue ct Principalement cclles de Charnay ^ Recueil d'Antiqtcites Suisses, pi. xxiii. * Abbe Cochet, La Normandle Sou terra iiie, p. 236. Rouen, 1854. ' Mus^e de Baye. 24 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. English archreologists dre of opinion that the barbed spear is probably the lancea uncata mentioned by Apollinaris Sidonius in his letter to Domitius.' Lancea jincala has been rendered by a translator as pique a crochets ' (barbed pike). Uvolfgangus Lazius, a writer of the sixteenth century, asserts that this weapon was exclusively confined to the Goths ^ — a fact which would fairly explain its absence from Anglo-Saxon graves. England has furnished us with a few examples of spears with a projection on each side at the head of the socket (pi. i., fig. 2). The specimen there illustrated is from Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire.* Two :i Fig. 4. Spear-iie..\d kuo.m Im.mknstf.dt (StiiLFSWio). Other specimens found in London and at Nottingham have been reproduced in HorcB Ferales, and Mdlle. Mestorf has discovered similar spears at Immenstedt, Schleswig.'' The spear was the national weapon of the Anglo-Saxons, among other evidence ' "Eo quo comehantur ornatu, iiiunicbantur, lanceis uncatis securibus missilibus de.xtra; refertas, clypeis Icavain partem adumbrantibus, (juorum lu.x in orbibus nivea, fulva in umbonibiis, ita censum pro- dcbat ut studiuni " (Apollinaris Sidonius, bk. iv., letter 20). ^ Apollinaris .Sidonius, translated by Gr(;goire Collombet, 1836. ^ De a!ii/uot Gentium Migratiouilnts, auctore Uvolfgango Lazio. Basic, 1572, — Hastce uncatie Gothonim, p. 681. ^ Journal of the liritish Archaological Association, 1882, p. 276. '•' Mestorf, Mitthei/ungcn des Anthropohgischen Vereins in Schlesivig-Holstein. Ausgrabungen bei Immenstedt, fig. 2. Kiel, 1888. rilE ANGOX. 25 of which is the custom of callino^ the man the spcar-fialf, while the woman was called the spindle-half. ^ In the laws of Edward the Confessor the word speai- is used as an equivalent of iiian^- So many spears have been found in England, that Mr. Roach Smith has no hesitation in asserting that one was buried with every freeman.' It was e.xclusively the weapon of the freeman, the serf being forbidden to carry it.' THE ANGON. When the earliest works on the archaeology of the Anglo-Saxon period were published the angon was unknown in England, and a very confused impression prevailed concerning it. The absence of the weapon itself led to many erroneous conjectures as to the interpretation of passages where it is mentioned. The influence of English archceologists, however, has been of great v^lue in the settlement of the vexed question of the angon. They discarded all the weapons inaccurately described by that name, acting on the belief that it was the annalists of the Franco-Merovingian period who could throw most light on the interpretation of their national antiquities. The word angon is connected with the German angel, a hook, or barb. The angon of the Franks had two barbs ; it is therefore probable that these words, angon and angel, are derived from the same root.-' The word for the angon in different languages always suggests the same idea ; in German and Flemish hangeii, in English hang, in Swedish hcsnga. The description of the angon given by Agathias '' has been the starting-point for much patient and useful research ; there are, however, other ancient writings in which mention is made of it. Thus Suidas ' speaks of this weapon, though the passage is less familiar, and Pachymeres '^ (quoted by Ducange) contains references to it which are worthy of being noted. ' Will of Alfred the Great. — Codex Diplomnticiis .-Evi Saxonici, vol. ii., p. 116. 2 Leges Regis Edward. Confess. — Ancient Laivs and Iiistitiitiom of England. 'I'liorpc, vol. i., p. 447. ^ Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventorium Sepiihlirale. •* " Et ut servi lanceas non portent. Qui inventus fuerit post hannum, hasta frangatur in dorso ejus '' {Capit., lib. vi. — Corpus juris German. Antiq. Walter's lulition). ^ Littre, Dictiotinaire de la Langue Francaisc, 1873. ^ " Urevia tela ([ua; ipsi angones vocant ; cujus pars major ferro obducta est, ita ut ex ligno aliquid prater membrorum vi.x extet : in superiori ferro tamiuam hami utrinque sunt, et deorsum vergunt " (Agathias, bk. i.). ^ 'Ayyoves iiri^MpLa Sopara Trafta povif (Pachynieres, lib. xii., cap. 30). 26 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. Archx-ological discoveries have now confirmed the correctness of the information given by the Greek writers of the later Empire. The barbed spear, lancea niicaia, of Apollinaris Sidonius was, when first dis- covered, mistaken for the angon.' The discovery of this error is due to English archaeologists, and especially to Mr. Wylie. The angon is now perfectly familiar and it is u.seless, therefore, to enumerate the specimens which have been found in Germany,'-' France," and Belgium.* It must be mentioned, however, that in all these countries the angon is extremely rare. Roach Smith considers that the information obtained with regard to this weapon tends to prove that its use among the German Barbarians was confined to the period between the fourth and eighth centuries.'* Mr. Akerman, in an interesting article, drew attention to the angons found on the Continent, this weapon being then unknown in Great Britain. Later, in 1861, Roach Smith made known to English archaeologists the angon found at Cavoran (pi. i., fig. 7), on the line of the Roman wall,'' describing it, however, simply as a javelin. This specimen is very like that from Strood (pi. i., fig. i), brought into notice by Dr. Bruce. Both these angons are from Kent. The angons in the museums of Mayence, Wiesbaden, and Darmstadt are much longer than those found in England;' but it must be mentioned that these latter have not preserved their original dimensions, being in a very bad state of preser- vation. From whatever source they come, there is never any question as to the unity of type in these weapons ; while, on the other hand, they differ so decisively from the spear and the javelin, that they cannot be mistaken for any other than the arm described by Agathias.** ' Archteohgia, vol. xxxv., p. 54, 1853. ^ Lindunschniit, Die alterthiimcr vtiscrer heidnischen vorzeit, 1881, drittcr liand, Ncuntes Heft, Taf. V. {Ifand/'uch der dentschen alteriliuinskunde). ^ Abb(* Cochet, Sepultures gauloises, romaines et franqucs, p. 215, 1857. — H. 15aiidot, Mhnoire sur les sepultures barbares de I'tpoque tiicrorhigietDie, et principakinent relies de Charnay, p. 150. — ]•'. Moreau, Collection C'aranda. Sepultures d'Arey Saiiite Restitue {Aisne), pi. M.— |. de liaye, Sipultures Franques de Joches (Marne), p. 7, 1880. ■' Naniur Museum, Aleinoires impriines en vue dii Congrh d'Arcticologie de Charleroi, 2nd pamphlet, p. 235, 1888. — Baron A. de Loii, Decouverte d'Aiitiquites franques a Harmignies, p. 7. Antwerp, 1886. '" Revue Areheologique, t. xi., p. 84, 1865. '' Roach Smith, Colleetanea Antiqua, vol. v., p. 13, 1861. ' Archaologia, vol. xxxvi., pi. vii. * Collectanea Antiqua, vol. v., j). 15. THE SCRAMASAXK. 27 THE SCRA.NLASAXE. The iron knife, sacks, seax, or scramasaxe, seems, as we stated in our sketch of the origin of the Saxons, to have given its name to the nation.' We have the testimony of several historians, that the scramasaxe was a weapon of war among the Saxons ;'" yet while small knives abound in Anglo-Saxon graves, the large knives, or scramasaxes, are especially rare.'^ Some English authors, misled by the constant presence of the small knife, have thought that this was the true scav of the Saxons ; but, according to the received idea, the seax was a weapon only smaller than the sword/ Mr. Roach Smith, referring to these weapons, which he calls sword-knives, considers these cultri validi to be identical with the scramasaxes mentioned by Gregory of Tours.-' The description given by this historian is quite applicable to the large knives, which are much more common in France, Belgium and Germany "?V-y-'^^*^'-'^ ^ p m. ' 'w i mmmimmfmmmrmf* Fig. 5. Be.\kesi!Ourne, Kent. than in England." Widukind says that these large knives were included in the ancient Saxon armoury.' The best preserved specimens have two long narrow grooves along the back of the blade. These war knives, or seax, are often referred to in the poem of Beowulf. Thus the mother of the demon Grendal in her struggle with Beowulf is represented as ' Ducange, G/ossan'um, article ".Saxa." 2 " Mutato denique nomine qua: ad id tcmpus 1'uringia, ex longis cultellis, sed vicloriosis, post- modum vocata est non Saxonia sed Anglico elcmcnto Saxonia " Con/f/t/iu/i'r Floniitii Wigornicnsis, Anno 1 138). ' The men's graves, almost without exception, contained a small knife (Rciuaiiis of /\!i;,i/i SaxoNJ.'in, p. 21. London, 1853). "* A hand-seax is mentioned in the will of /l'',lflieah {CoJcx Diplomaliciis, vol. iii., p. 127). ^ Histoire des Francs, bk. iv., chap. 46, and bk. viii., cha]). 29. ** Yonge Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondoin, p. 21. — Roach Smith, Introduction to Inventoriiim Sefulchrak. — Collectanea Antiqua, vol. ii. — Proceedings of fJie Society of Antiquaries of London, 2nd series, vol. X., No. I, 1883. ' " Erat autem illis diebus Saxonibus magnonmi cutcllorum usus, (]uil)us usciue hodie .\ngli utuntur morem gentis antiquoe sectantes " (Widukind, bk. i., chap. vi.). 2 8 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. drawing her scax,^ and Beowulf himself, when his sword was broken, turned to the scax which was attached to his coat of mail.- According to Nenius, it was with the scramasaxe that the Saxons were armed when, at the famous feast of reconciliation, the signal was given by Hengist for the massacre of the Britons : N^imed cure Saxes. The scxaiidriis of the Salic laws appears to have been a small knife similar to those frequently found in Anglo-Saxon graves (fig. 5). These laws enacted that whosoever stole a knife should return it to his owner, and pay in addition fifteen solidi.^ Kemble states that the large knives are generally found in the graves of men only ; while the smaller ones, on the contrary, are found with the remains of men, women, and children alike, in almost every barrow/ The excavations of Faussett in one hundred and six graves at Gilton produced a hundred and twenty-nine knives ; three hundred and eight graves at Kingston Down contained two hundred and twenty-two knives, while about one hundred and eleven came from the hundred and eighty barrows opened at Sibertswold. Ml'. Neville, in his work on the cemetery of Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire), remarks that knives were found together with spears in nearly all the graves. In one exceptional case two knives enclosed in an urn were found. As a rule these blades were placed somewhere near the hips.^ Anglo-Saxon scramasaxes were occasionally ornamented. The Rev. Mr. Beck describes one, ninety centimetres long, found at Little Healings in Suffolk," which is decorated with a band of damascened work throughout its length. Among the scramasaxes found in the Thames, the most interesting is one which is ornamented with a runic alphabet, and bears the name of the soldier to whom it belonged, in similar characters. The letters are inlaid in copper and silver." ' " She beset them the iial-guest, And drew her seax Broad, brown-edged." {Bemvulf, hnc 3089.) ^ " Drew his deadly seax Bitter and battle-sharp, That he on his byrnie bore." {Beo'iVu/f, line 5400.) ^ De ailtello sexaudro. " Si quis alteri cultellum furaverit et ei fuerit adprobatuni, ipsuni in loco rcsiituit, ct insuper no den. qui faciunt sol. xv. culp. judicetur" {Legis Suliac, tit. Ixxiii. i). ' Hone Feral es, p. 81. '- Neville, Snxon Obsequies, p. 9. London, 1852. '' Prweedi?igs of the Society of Antiquaries of London, 2nd series, vol. x.. No. i, 1883. ' Ibidem. THE BATTLE-AXE. 29 Inscriptions on scramasaxes are extremely rare, but in the P'rankish cemetery of Pondrome, Belgium, one of these weapons was found which bore the maker's name.' THE BATTLE-AXE. The iron battle-axe is also called the Francisca, it being the especial weapon of the Franks,- and it is to this arm that English archaeologists have turned in seeking to explain the axes found in Anglo-Saxon graves. As is stated by historians, ' the axe is very frequently discovered in Frankish cemeteries ; ' in fact, it has long been admitted that this weapon was in much more general use on the Continent than in Great Britain."' England has, however, provided us with a few examples." The Barbarian conquerors carried the axe in battle, but its use was reserved to certain privileged persons. The terrible effects of this weapon have been noted by ancient writers.^ Those who were armed with the sword or the battle-axe were always picked men, and owed their selection for that honour either to rank or prowess.** History testifies to the use of the battle-axe among the Anglo-Saxons. It formed part of the equipment of most of the soldiers who fought against the Normans at Hastings." It is probable, however, that the axe was a somewhat late importation, introduced, according to Mr. Wylie, by the Scandinavian invaders.'" Mr. Akerman appears to support this view, and leans to the opinion that the battle-axe came into general use during the Danish invasion, because it was less costly than the sword. ' Vol. xvii. of the Annaks de la Societe Archcologique de N^aiiiur. 2 "Quas (secures) et Hispani ab usu Francorum per derivationem Fraiiciscas vocant " (Isidore de Seville, Etymol., lib. xviii., cap. vi.). ^ "Pedites erant ca;teri omnes (Franci) non arcii, non hasta arinati, sed ensem (iypeunuiuc gostabant singuli ac securim unam : cujus ferrum valde crassum ct utrinquc acutissimum erat, e ligno manuljriuni admodum breve. Ut signum datum est, prinio slatim congressu ea securi iacta, liostium scuta diffringerc Solent eosque conficere " (Procopius, De Bella Gothico, lib. ii., cap. 25). * Roach Smith, Introduction to the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities in the South Kensington Museum, p. xi. ^ Abbe Cochet, La Normandie Souterraine, [). 203. Paris, 1S54. — Wright, The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, p. 477. London, 1885. * Archceologia, vol. xxxiv., p. 171. ' " Recentes quippo qui supervenerant, et viri electi erant, securihus et gjadiis liorribiliter corpora Brittonum findebant " (Hen. Hunt. IV., a.u. 752). ' " Congregantes autem se ad vexilla utrin(|ue [iroceres et lortissimi, gladiis et seiuribus ania/onicis rem agcntes, acies acicbus funeste irruebant " (Hen. limit. IV., a.d. 752). '' William of Malmesbury, Chronique de A'ormandie : " Et situt comme les Angluis les virent fuir, ils comniencerent a poursuivir chacun la hache .\ son col." — Math. Paris, //ist. -Ingl. : " Sa.\ones pedites omnes cum securibus." '" Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 22. Oxford, 1852. 30 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. The taper-axc was common at the time of the promulgation of the Charter of Canute. One article in this charier assigned to Christ Church, Canterbury, the possession of the [)ort of Sandwich, with the right to levy taxes on the adjacent lands. At high tide an axe was thrown ashore, from a vessel in the harbour, and all the land to the seaward of the point where it fell was liable to the tax.^ The axes of English origin resemble the Francisca of Merovingian cemeteries. One specimen was discovered at Faversham (Kent)." Mr. Roach Smith quotes six from Ash, Ozingell (Kent), Colchester, Richborough and Canterbury,' while Mr. Neville mentions the finding of one at Little VVilbraham (Cambridgeshire). In his Remains of Pagan Saxondom'^ Mr. Akerman reproduces three examples, coming from the bed of the Thames at London, from Colchester, and from Icklingham (Suffolk). The size of these battle-axes was occasionally such as to permit of their being used as missile weapons.'" THE BOW AND ARROWS. Archaeologists do not always include bows and arrows among weapons of war. The Franks, it is now believed, did not reckon them as part of their warlike equipment, and the rare specimens discovered are considered to have been used only in the chase." ArchcEologia brings together a mass of evidence to show that the bow was not employed as a weapon of war by the Anglo-Saxons ; '' but it would be wrong- to conclude that this was also the case among other Barbarian nations. Alaric, when preparing in Thessaly to take the field against Stilicho, had bowmen under his command." Certain small shafted weapons have been erroneously described as arrows, though in reality javelins.'' At an earlier period Mr. Faussett wrote of the iron points of missile weapons as arrows. It is clear, however, that they were darts, or small lances. ' Codex Diplomatkiis ,Evi SaxoHt'ci, vol. iv., p. 24. ^ Catahii^iie oj Auglo- Saxon and other Antiquities discovered at Faversham in Kent. London, 1873. ■^ Collectanea Antiijua, vol. ii., p. 224. ■' I'l. xxiii. ^ " Jactant Angli cus[)idc.s at; divcrsorum gcneruni Ida, s;\;vi.ssimas (iuas(iue secures " {Gesta Giilielnii, ducts Nonnanoruni). '• Jiec|uet. Fouilles en 1883 et 18S4, \^. jy. ' Arcluvnloi^ia, vol. xxxiv., p. 171. " Am. Thierry, Alaric, eliap. ii., p. 50. •' .\kerinan. Remains oj Pagan Saxondoni, p. 22 THE BOW AND ARROWS. 31 The presence of arms of small size in the graves of the young proves that youths of the free classes were initiated into the art of war with weapons appropriate to their age.' Mr. Akerman says, very decidedly, with respect to arrows : " We know of no authentic account of the discovery of arrow-heads in these graves ; the iron heads, barbed or otherwise, which some antiquaries have erroneously fancied to be the heads of arrows belong rather to these spicuia. It is not asserted that the bow was unknown to the Anglo-Saxons, but there is abundant evidence that it was not commonly used by them as a weapon of war."' The scarcity of arrows in the cemeteries of Kent has been explained on the ground that they had been completely destroyed in the graves by rust. However, the cemetery of Chessell Down, in the Isle of Wight, has provided Mr. Hillier with a few barbed triangular arrow heads.' • It is remarkable that the bow, never used by the Anglo-Sa.xons before the Danish invasion, became eventually the national weapon.' No mention is made of bows and arrows in Canute's law concerning arms, but they are referred to in the Encyclical Capitulary of 806,' and again in similar terms in a summons issued by the King to the Counts and Bishops in 813, ordering a levy of troops." The Lombard cemetery of Testona (Italy) contained numerous arrows, con- siderably more in proportion than the graves of the Anglo-Sa.xons and Franks. These missiles are mentioned in the Lombard laws," while we learn from history that the Gothic armies contained trained archers." We must therefore conclude that the absence of arrows among the Anglo- Saxons constitutes an exception to the rule generally obtaining among the Barbarian nations. ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventorium Sepiilchrak. ^ Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxoiidom, Introduction, p. ix. •* Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inveiitorittin Sepulchralc. '' WyUe, Fairford Graves, p. 19. Oxford, 1852. ^ " Ita vero preparatus cum honoribu.s tuis ad prjedictum locum vcnies, ut inde in (juamcunKjuc partem nostra fuerit jussio et exercitahter ire possis ; id est cum armis . . . ita ut unusijuisque cab- allarius habeat scutum et lanceam et spatam et semispatam, arcum et pharetras cum sagittis " (I'ertz, iii., 145). — Epist. Caroli M. ad Fuhadum abbatem S. Dionysi, 7S4. — Eccart, De ni>iis l-'raneiic Orientalis, i., p. 522. '^ " Et ipse comes prajvidet (juomodo sint parati, id est lanceam scutum, aut arcum cum duas cordas, sagittas duodecem ; de his utercjue habeant " (Pert/,, iii., 188). — Cajiit. .\quisgranLnse, a. Siv ' " Si quis in curte alterius irato animo sagittaverit, aut lanceam jactaverit componat x\ soiidis " {Leges LongobardiccE, xliv.). * " Quarum (Vesegothi et Ostrogothi) studium fuit primum inter alias gentes vicinas arcus intendere ncrvis. Lucano plus historico quam pocta testante : ariiienios arn/s ge//iieis i/ifriidiU iiervis." —'■' W'\.ccU^ pectoribus et capitibus, congressi contra Gothos, milites nostri multitudine sagittariorum saepc delccti " (Vegetius, De re Militari, i., xx.). 32 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. THE SHIELD. The shield is the only defensive armour found in Anglo-Saxon graves. It was of comparatively small size, and circular or slightly oval in shape,' made of light wood,-' or wicker-work, and completely covered with a thick tanned hide.'^ Its lightness and handiness rendered it highly serviceable. The bucklers found in England are usually about 54 centimetres in diameter. In the poem of Beowulf linden-wood bucklers are entitled lind, a poetic expression designating a buckler in the Germanic tongue. Wood, then, was the material usually employed, the exception claimed for the buckler of Beowulf serving to emphasise the general rule. The hero is said to have been armed with an iron shield, in order to fight the fire-dragon.^ The Codex Exoniensis also confirms the fact of wood having been the usual material of the buckler, which is therein called poetically the linden.' Ancient poems and illuminated manuscripts speak of certain coloured shields, the varied tints of which served to distinguish different bodies of troops — a custom probably borrowed from the Romans, if we may judge from the description given in the Notitia!' The wood and other materials of which the buckler was constructed have long since perished ; only the metal part is found in the graves. The umbo, or boss, of iron, was in the centre of the shield.' It was fixed to the wood by strong rivets, with big iron heads. These large heads were often overlaid with ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities in tlie South Kensington Museum, p. xiii. London, 1873. — Kemble, Horn Ferales, p. 87. ^ Codex Exoniensis (Gnomic verses, p. 339). ' Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, p. 22. — Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventorium Sepulchrale. * " Then commanded to be made for him The refuge of warriors, All of iron. The lord of carls, A wondrous war-board : He knew well enough That him forest-wood Might not help. Linden-wood ojiposed to fire." {Beowulf line 4668.) ' "A ship shall be mailed; A shield bound. The light linden board." *" Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iii. ' " Umbo sculi pars media est, quasi umbilicus " (Isidore de Seville, E/ymol., HI), xviii., cap. -\ii.). THE SHIELD. 33 copper, white metal, or silver, while one specimen exists in which gold has been so employed.^ The button forming the top of the umbo was ornamented in similar fashion. The handle crossed the hollow of the umbo. Its length was generally equal to the width of the shield, the handle proper fitting the lower part of the umbo. Shields constructed in this fashion have been found in the cemeteries of Gilton,'- Litde Wilbraham,^ and Harnham Hill, near Salisbury. As we have mentioned above, the handle extended on each side in the form of a cross-piece, which gave strength to the buckler as a whole. The thickness of the wood and its covering is shown by the length of the rivets. The convex form of the umbo was of great value in causing the enemies' missiles to glance off, and in protecting the hand of the warrior. At the same time the buckler could be used as a weapon of offence. Muratori expresses the opinion that umbones furnished with a very sharp point (pi. ii., fig. 3) were used, in hand-to-hand fighting, to keep the enemy at arm'sl-ength.* Nor is this an altogether gratuitous assertion, for Tacitus relates incidents which support the contention." The Barbarians were accustomed to raise loud war-cries before going into battle, to strike terror into the hearts of their enemies. They used to intensify the sound by holding the hollow of the umbo to their mouths, and so alarming were their cries that even the Roman legions were unnerved by them in their earlier engagements. The hollow of the umbo increased the reverberation ten- fold, while the clash of arms against it re-echoed with terrifying effect. The rank and file of the Anglo-Saxons were armed with s^Dear and shield, knives, and sometimes light javelins." When the word arum is used in old historical docu- ments, it means the complete equipment of spear and shield. Proof of this may be found in the Capitularies of Ansegio.' The manufacture of bucklers became a very important industry among the ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities in the South Kensington Museum, p. xiii. ^ I?tventoriuni Sepulchrale, pi. xv., fig. 14. ' Saxon Obsequies, pi. xxxviii. * " Brocchiere s'io non m'inganno, fu chiamata qiiella specie di scudi che nel mezzo teneva uno spontone, o chiodo acuto di fcrro, ed eminente, con cui anchc si potca ferire il ncniico, se troppo si avvicinava. . . . Brocca volea dire uno ferro acuto." '•' " Igitur et Batavi miscere ictus, ferire umhonibus ora fcedare ccepcre " (Agricola, 36). — "Sternitur et quaidam pars duro umbone vivorum " (A\'althar, v., 195). •* Kernble, Horce Ferales, description of pi. xwi. ' ' " Ut nullus ad mallum vcl ad placituni intra patriani arnia, id est scutum et lanccam portet '' (III., § 4 ; 22). — Muratori, Dissert., 26. 3 34 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. Anglo-Saxons. In the reign of /P^thelred the shield-wrights had become a. numerous body ; indeed, a street in Winchester was named after them.' Legal provision was made to secure the proper construction of these bucklers. A law of /Ethelstan inflicted a fine of thirty shillings on any workman who used sheep- skin to cover them." The shields in use among the Teutonic tribes were not carried on the arm, but held in the hand, the warrior being thus enabled to parry blows aimed at him, or to diminish their force. This method of carrying the buckler explains the sense of the phrase clypeos 7'otare, used by Apollinaris Sidonius in his de- scription of the Frank warriors. Anglo-Saxon bucklers were similar in shape and size to those of the Franks.^ Both Mr. Wylie '' and Mr. Akerman " mention specimens in which the wooden portion was ornamented with bronze or iron discs placed round the umbo, at a distance- calculated to increase its power of resistance. The commonest form of Anglo-Saxon umbo is also general in Frankish graves, in the Barbarian cemeteries of the Rhineland, of Bavaria, and even of Northern Italy. As a rule they are simply varieties of the general type (pi. ii., figs, i, 4, and 6). There exist, however, certain very rare umbones, much more conical in form, which Kemble looks upon as importations." Under this head we must include two from Sibertswold, which are illustrated in the Inventorimn Sepulchrale.' The same type, but more strongly marked, was found by Mdlle. Mestorf in a grave at Frestedt, Schleswig.'^ In pi. ii., figs. 2 and 5, we illustrate two umbones remarkable for size and shape, and belonging to a rare and unusual type. The first (pi. ii., fig. 2) comes from Farthing Down, Surrey. Our drawing was made in the museum at Oxford, the specimen being unique in style, and never before figured. It is composed of several iron plates, joined together by little rings of the same metal. The second (pi. ii., fig. 5) was found at Sittingbourne," placed vertically to the right of the skeleton. Among exceptional specimens we must notice the umbo recently discovered at ' Charter of /Ethclrcd, \.\). 996 {Codex Diplomaticus ALvi Saxonki, vol. vi., p. 135). ' Leges yEihelsta7ii, xv. ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Invcntorium Sepiilclirak. * Fairford Graves, p. 14. •■' Remains of Pa^^an Saxondoin, Drif'fiekl umbo, pi. ix. ^ IIoriT Fe rales, p. 87. " PI. XV., figs. 13 and 15. ^ This umbo is- in the Kiel Museum. — Vorgeschkhtlkhe aUerthiuncr aus Schkswig-Holsiein, pi. Iviii., li^^. 709. Hamburg, 1885. " Collectanea Antiqua, vol. i., p. 104. THE SHIELD. 35 .Barrington, Cambridgeshire, of which we give an exact illustration (fig. 6).' Ihere is nothing very remarkable in the shape, but the button affixed to the top is interesting in its decoration. The stem and the button are in bronze gilt, and are fastened to the umbo by three feet. The button is deeply chased, the workmanship recalling the ornamentation of the massive saucer-shaped brooches. The incised designs are separated by double lines. One compartment contains an imaginary Fig. 6. Umbo fro.m B.vrrinotox, Cambridgksuirf. bird, with a swan's head and neck, while in the others the S form of decoration appears very distinctly. The cemetery of Barrington alone contained eight umbones. From the hundred and six men's graves at Gilton eighteen were taken, and the same number of spears. At Kingston Down thirteen bucklers were discovered in three hundred and eight graves. Seventeen were found at Sibertswold,'^ four at Ozingell,' eight at Fairford,'' ' Walter K. Foster, Accou>it of the Excavation of an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Barrington, Cambridge shire, p. 12. Cambridge, 1883. ^ If ores Ferales, p. 82. ' "Anglo-Saxon Remains discovered at Ozingell, Kent" Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iii., pi. ii. ■• Abbd Cochet, La Norniajidie Souterraine, p. 241. — Fairford Graves. 36 ANGLO-SAXON ARMS. and nineteen at Little Wilbraham.^ Lastly we may mention a barrow at Sporle, Norfolk, which contained seven skeletons lying side by side. Some of these had bucklers placed over their heads ; the bodies were enveloped in woollen mantles, fastened over the breast, and with each one was a spear of the most general type." ' Neville, Saxon Obsequies, pis. xxxvii. and xxxviii. - Remains of Pagan Saxondom. ANGLO-SAXON FIBUL/E. RTISTIC character, variety of form, and delicacy of workmanship combine to render the fibular of Anglo-Saxon manufacture objects of the highest interest. In no other part of Europe in the fifth and sixth centuries do we find, within so small a limit, so many distinct models, or so many perfectly independent creations. The position of the Anglo-Saxons in history being recognised, we are enabled to draw definite conclusions from the geographical distribution of their fibular. The concentration of certain types in particular districts implies colonisation by distinct sub-tribes, the variety of decorative styles, and the multiplicity of forms aiding us in assigning each type to the tribes to which it properly belongs. On the other hand, when we find a special form of fibula recurring constantly, in a locality the inhabitants of which are known, we are justified in attributing to them a special fondness for that form. Archaeologists are thus enabled to argue back to the primitive types, follow their various modifications, and arrive eventually at unassailable conclusions. The due assignment of archiL-ological remains to their proper source is rendered unusually easy in England by the accurate knowledge we poss(tss of the movements of the invaders. The artistic peculiarities of their fibuku' display the national characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon peoples ; yet, notwithstanding their common origin, each tribe among the Barbarian conquerors has preserved in its art work those features which were peculiarly its own, and which have in part resisted the influence of the closest contact. Anthropology recognises in the Anglo-Saxon races characteristics which exist to-day among the people of Great Britain. The facial type of the invaders still lives in their descendants, in the regions they colonised. It is impossible to confound it with that of the Britons, who were driven by their conquering hordes into the fastnesses of Cornwall and Wales.' Like other Barbarian nations, the Anglo-Saxons were fond of personal orna- 1 Crania Britannica, chap, vi., p. 183. — I.appcnhcrg, 'l'hori)c's tianskilion, vol. i., p. 112. l.oiulon, 1845. 37 38 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. nients,^ and in especial of fibuke.' Their brooches are thus worthy of attention by reason of their archaeological importance as well as of their artistic merit. Four or five fibuLx are often found in the same grave,' placed on different parts of the body.' It is plain, therefore, that more than one was habitually worn. A few Anglo-Saxon fibula; are of large size. On the other hand, no specimen of exceptional dimensions has been found on the Continent. Fibuhe, as a rule, and especially in the north of England, differ widely from all the productions of Roman art. In the invaded provinces the Teutonic ideal displaced the classic in the abruptest fashion. The transformation was of the most radical nature, due either to very strong national traditions, or to an invincible repugnance for the civilisation of Rome. Henri Martin apparently adopts the latter alternative when he represents the Saxons as reiaudiating with hatred and contempt the arts, laws, and religion of the Romans.' A brief summary of the whole subject is advisable before considering in detail each variety of fibula. Certain fibulae from Kent and the Isle of Wight are looked upon as importations from the north-west of Gaul. They are of three types, — Radiated or digitated fibulae. S-shaped fibuht. Bird-shaped fibulae. English savants rightly class these as Continental types. The other Anglo- Saxon varieties are, — Cruciform fibulae. Square-headed fibulae. Cupelliform or saucer-shaped fibulae. Annular fibulae. Circular fibulae (Kentish). The cruciform type is p<;culiar to England, and in its developments takes rank as an Anglo-Saxon creation, though the original idea came from Sweden. The Midland counties of England form the area of its most general distribution. ' Am, 'I'hierry, Ahiric, p. 210. ' Claud., In Eii/rop., lib. ii., verse i8_^. ^ Roach Smith, Introduction to Catalogue 0/ Anglo-Saxon Anticjuitks in the South Kensington Museum. ■' " l-'ibula; sunt, quibus pectus Acminarum ornatur, vel pallium tenetur a viris in hunicris, sou cingulum in lumbis" (Isidore of Seville, Etymol., bk. xix., chap. xxxi.). ■'■ Henri .Martin, Hisloire dc J-'rancc, t. i., p. 414. ANGLO-SAXON FIBULAE. 39 These ornaments were at first extremely simple, but later, under the influence of various artistic movements, were covered with decorations of a rude and some- times grotesque character. They have not, however, even under a superabundance of decorative detail, lost their primitive form. They are wrought in the mass of the metal, and are never set with glass or stone — a peculiarity which is worthy of special notice. The upper portion of the fibula is more or less in the form of a cross ; hence, the name cruciform. Nothing has been found in the south of England similar in style to these fibulas. Another type of elongated fibula forms an interesting class. In these the upper part is square, while the lower often assumes the form of a grotesque head. The cross-shaped development of the lower part of these fibulae has caused them to be included under the head of cruciform ; but in our opinion this name should be specially reserved for the type previously referred to. They are not, in fact, always so styled by English archaeologists, Mr. Wylie, for instance, calling them double fibulae.' They are sometimes inlaid with pastes or stones. Circular fibulae may be divided into three categories. The fibute called in England dish-shaped might be named concave, or, better still, cupelliform ; they are found in the more eastern settlements of the Barbarians. They form an exclusively Anglo-Saxon group, and may be considered indigenous to Great Britain. Anglo-Saxon art has produced another variety, annular in shape, composed of a simple ring, which is crossed by the acus. The ring is sometimes filled up in part by radii cut in the bronze, the centre taking the form of a cros?, pat e'e, or with equal branches. Lastly, the south of England, and especially Kent, has given us a class of fibula quite distinct from those already described. Mr. Roach Smith divides them into three groups." In the first the fibula is formed of two metal plaques, joined by a circular border. In the second a disc of bronze or silver, slightly concave, is decorated with gold-foil, covered with compartments forming geometrical figures. The fibulae of the third group, which are far more numerous, are composed of a single piece of metal, decorated with incised work, and set with jewels and glass. This splendid array of fibulee, the delicate workmanship of which is so characteristic of Anglo-Saxon art, is of incontestable utility in the study of their cloisonne goldsmith's work. ^ Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 23. ^ Roach Smith, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities discovered at Faversham, p. xiii. London, 1873. 40 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULAE. RADIATED FIBUL.i:. The settlements of the Barbarian tribes usually contain certain large fibuke improperly called digitated. This type, generally considered by archieologists to be highly characteristic, is a compound of two styles. The upper part is in form rectangular, or semicircular, with radiated ornament ; the lower varies con- siderably, being sometimes quite simple, but more often lozenge-shaped. The two extremities are joined by a curve. These ornaments are generally assigned to the period of the Germanic migrations, as specimens of the type are found among the most ancient of the invading peoples. They extend over a large geographical area, and display various peculiarities of artistic detail. The type has been met with in Eastern Europe, in France, and in Germany ; it has been found in some abundance by the archaeologists of Hungary,^ and it is also common in Southern Russia.- In the north of Italy again it is not unknown, and we have had occasion to refer to it in our treatise on the industrial arts of the Lombards.^ The heads of these fibula; are square, or semi-circular, and ornamented with radii, often to the number of five. This arrangement has suggested to some investigators the idea of the five fingers of the hand, and has earned for them the title of digitated fibula;.' These ornaments are very rare in England, and are looked upon as impor- tations — a conclusion which English savants base on solid grounds, for the Saxons may very well have received them from the Franks, with whom, according to Procopius, they were in communication.-' At the same time the presence of these fibula; in Kent, in conjunction with work of Anglo-Saxon origin, renders it necessary we should refer to them. Their striking resemblance to the types known in Central Europe, and especially in France, renders these pieces of great value. ' Ank. Ertesil'o. — Dr. \\\ Lipp, Die i^iv/xr/e/der von Kesztliely, figs. 328 and 332. — Procecdiiigs of the Internationl Congress of Biida-Pesth. 2 D. Macpherson, Antiquities of Kerlch. London, 1857. — Transactions of the Historical Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, vol. x., 1858. — Roach Sniitli, Col/ectanea Antiqua, vol. v. London, 1861. — J. de Baye, " Les Bijoux Gothiciucs dc Kertch," Revue /Irchlo/ogiijue, 1888. ' Industrie Longo/mrde, p. 31. Laris, 1888. '' Abbd Cochct, La Norma ndie Souterraine, p. 228. ' " Tanta est hominum multitude, ut inde singulis annis non pauci cum uxoribus libcrisque migrcnl ad Francos, qui in suae ditionis solo, quod dcsertius videtur, scdcs illis ascribunt : ex quo fieri dicitur, ut sibi quoddani jus in insulam arrogcnt. Ccrte Francoruin Rex non ita pridcin, cum nonnullos ex intimis Byzantium legatos ad Justinianum Augustum mittcret, Anglos illis adjunxcrat, ambitiosc ostendens, se huic etiam insulce dominari " (Procopius, de Bello Gothico, cap. iv., 20). RADIATKD FIP.rL.E. 41 The radiated fibular, and those in the shape of birds, are considered by Roach Smith' to be prior in point of date to the cruciform and all other Anglo- Saxon types.' This opinion is confirmed by the classification which it has been proposed to adopt on the Continent. In fact, there seem good reasons for placing them earlier than the other Prankish and Merovingian fibuke. The connection between the Anglo-Saxons and the Germanic tribes inhabit- ing the north-west of Gaul receives confirmation, arch;eologically, from the discovery of these fibular. The Barbarian cemeteries in the neighbourhood of the Straits do not, it is true, contain so many specimens as those of the Rhenish jirovinces, but they have at least furnished a few fiile radiated fibuhe,' and their very rarity should certainly entitle them to the closest attention. From another point of Fig. 7. Fibula in Silver-gilt from Kaversh,\.m (Kent). South Kensington Museum. view, the relations subsisting between the inhabitants of the south coast of Great Britain and the Franks did not exclude the possibility of communications with other Teutonic tribes ; but it is noticeable that the English examples of this type come, almost without exception, from Kent, and especially from the coast.' Chatham (Kent) has supplied two very characteristic specimens" (pi. iii., figs. I and 6), now in the Museum at Oxford. F^rom F^iversham (Kent) come several of these ornaments, three of which are illustrated in pi. iii., figs. 4, 5, ' Introduction to the Ca/(!/o>^i/e of Ai!i;'/(>'Sii .\iili(/iiitic.< i/isiiiTi>rurnal if the British Archaologieal Association, vol. iv., [). 159, 1S49. — Collectanea Antiqua, vol. ii., 1852, pi. 1., fig. 3, and p. 21S. ' Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iii., pi. vi., fig. 2. " Ibidem, vol. v., j). 137. '•' Now in the iiritish Museum. '" Neville, Saxon Obsequies, pi. viii., fig. 133. S-SHAPED FIBl'L^. 43 We have further only to cite a fibula found exceptionally fir north, namely, at Searby, in Lincolnshire. This example is in silver gilt, set with red glass or garnets' (pi. iii., fig. 2). Its admirable workmanship, and the fantastic head which forms its lower extremity, render it a most interesting piece. This series of fibulae found in England provide a most valuable fund of informa- tion for those archaeologists who are occupied in investigating their origin and geographical distribution. S-SHAPED FIBUL.^. S-shaped fibula; have been the object of special study on the part of archaeolo- gists ; it is therefore necessary to notice their presence in Anglo-Saxon territory. They are rarely met with in England, where they are looked upon as an importation from the Franks — a view which is in all probability the correct one. The rarity of their appearance prevents our assigning an important place to them among the antiquities of Great Britain. Fibulae of various forms, ornamented with birds' heads, undoubtedly belong, whatever their source, to the same type of industrial art. The few specimens which we have been able to examine in England are illustrated in pi. iv. ; they afford us some additional data for the study of S-shaped fibular. Two of these ornaments, forming a pair, which come from Sleaford, Lincolnshire (pi. iv., fig. 6), are the only examples which can be attributed to Saxon manufacture. They are in bronze, plated with tin, and are decorated with designs sunk in the metal by means of a punch. They an; heavy and inartistic in shape, and their imperfect workmanship is nothing but a degenerate copy of the typical specimens found in France and Bavaria. The idea, which is certainly identical, is far less artistically rendered. The valuable collection of Mr. John Evans contains two similar fibuke (pi. iv., fig. 7) in bronze, found in a grave at Malsingfield, Cambridgeshire. These pieces, which are of somewhat peculiar workmanship, are now illustrated for the first time. A still more characteristic specimen, now in the Britisli Museum, was dis- covered at Iffley, Oxford (pi. iv., fig. 8). It is decorated with slabs of garnets, set on gold foil, and with its peculiar style, its jewels, its shape, its double bird's head, with hooked beak, resembles, in the most remarkable way, the ornaments of a ' Collectanea Atitu/iia, vol. v., pi. xii., fig- i. 44 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. similar type taken from Prankish, Burgundian, and Bavarian graves. We reproduce also another brooch, one of a pair, found in the cemetery of Chessell Down, Isle of Wight, and now in the British Museum (pi. iv., fig. 9). A i)air of bronze fibula-, set with red and blue enamel, connected by a chain, is also si)ecially noteworthy (fig. 9). It belongs to the same artistic period, and recalls the style of the specimens previously referred to. The chain, which is formed of slender metal links, is not usually found with Fig. 9. rjBui./i: fkom F.wkrsham (Kent). S-shaped fibuhe, though these are generally met with in pairs. This ornament, which was worn on the breast,' comes from Faversham, Kent.'- Tht; pin, which was always in iron, has in this case been destroyed by o.xida- tion, and has left only a few shapeless traces of its existence. JilRD-SHAPEl) FIBUL/K. Bird-shaped fibula; are very rarely met with in Anglo-Saxon barrows. This very scarcity, however, combined with their strong resemblance to those e.xhumcd from I'rankishc emeteries,' is a sufticient r(;ason for not passing them over. In pi. iv. we give illustrations of all the specimens at present known in England. The fibula which shows the greatest variation from the original type was found in the cemetery at b'airford ' (pi. iv., no. i ). It is easy to recognise the degene- rate art of this specimen, which is more like a duck than the usual bird with hooked beak. The specimen from Chessell Down, Isle of Wight, now in the British Museum, represents a bird resembling a dove (pi. iv., fig. 4). The cemetery of Barrington, ' I\()a< li Sinilh, Ca/al(\^nc of An;^/<>-S/! A/i/i(/i/ifi\\ diicovcrcd at FarcnlviJit in Kent. Foil loii, 1875. Intioiluction, p. \v. ■ Snutli Kciisiii^loii Museum, Xo. loSS. ■■ Kc:irli Sinitli, Cdlkitiiihit Aiitii/iia, \ol. ii.. p. i,|S. ■' \V)1k', I'aiifurd Gnircs, ]il. iii., Hl;. 7. CRUCIFORM FinULvE. 45 Cambridgeshire, has also produced a bird-shaped brooch, in bronze gilt' (pi. iv., fig. 2). The Chessell Down cemetery, the mortuary furniture of which resembles so closely that of the Prankish burial-places, yielded the fibula reproduced in pi. iv., fig. 3. It exactly resembles the typical bird, with its characteristic hooked beak. The question of the source of these ornaments, representing the hook-beaked bird, which are found in Barbarian cemeteries on the Continent, has often engaged the attention of archaeologists. The Gothic tribes had a great predilection for th(; bird as a decorative subject,' and its constant recurrence in those countries where the Goths remained longest is sufficient proof of its origin. English savants, it must be said, noting the rarity of bird-shaped fibula:' in Anglo-Saxon graves, have concluded that they are a Continental type, and that their presence in England is due to importation. Kent and the Isle of Wight alone have furnished objects which are considered as of Continental origin, and it is in these districts only that the rare examples of the hook-beaked bird have been found. The bird-shaped fibulae of Fairford and Barrington are imitations, and of inferior artistic value. The original type, in all its purity, is represented by the fibula of the Isle of Wight (pi. iv., fig. 3), the hair-pin of Faversham, Kent' (pi. iv., fig. 5), and one or two pendants.' The.se figures of birds, decorated with slabs of garnet and glass, are always found in connection with jewellery set with precious stones. The association of bird-shaped and radiated fibula? is now an ascertainc'd fact of archaeology. The Barbarian ornaments imported into England, and classed as of Continental origin, are of great importance. Not only are they proofs of intercourse, but they also illustrate the artistic influence exerted over that [jart of Great Britain which was near France. It is only when freed from this foreign ek;ment that Anglo- Saxon art stands revealed in all its originality. CRUCIl'ORM llliUI.-K. Scandinavia has produced certain objects which suggest a comparison with Anglo-Saxon antiquities, the period during which this comparison is possible being ^ Walter K. Foster, Account of the Excavation of an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Harrington, Canil'riJge- shire, pi. iv., fig. 3. Cambridge, 1883. 2 "I.cs Bijoux C.othiciues de Kertch " from tiie Jievne Areheo/og!,/iu\ 18SS. 3 Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antii/nities in the South Kensington Mn-eiini. ('.ihhs' Collectioii, No. 1 130. ■* Ibidem, No. i 145. 46 ANCLO-SAXOX FIBULA. that known to the savants of the North as the first Iron Age. At this epoch the North was coming under the sway of new nations, who introduced the Runic character, and at the same time showed, in a variety of ways, that they had been in contact with the civilisation of Rome. The htnguage of the oldest Runic inscriptions proves that the inhabitants of Sweden, during the first Iron Age, were of Germanic origin. The progress of science, however, does not as yet permit us to affirm that this was the first appearance of the Germans in Scandinavia.^ These considerations, advanced on the authority of a savant whose competence is undoubted, may fittingly preface the study of those fibulze known to English archajologists as cruciform. We represent here three of these objects, two being of Swedi.sh origin, while the third is English. No. i, from Svanskog, Vermland, and No. 3, from Oland, are in the Stockholm Museum ; No. 2 is in the Anglo-Saxon collection at South Kensington. It would be easy to multiply points of resemblance, but the three specimens here brought together show plainly enough a common artistic parentage. These typical fibula; have also been studied by Mr. Hildebrand, who states that they are extremely rare in Gothland, but abundant in Sweden and Norway. The numerous varieties found throughout this vast region are a proof of the estimation in which these ornaments were held by the Scandinavians, during a period suffi- ciently long to afford scope for many modifications in the less essential details. In Denmark fibulae of this form are rare, an exception to the general rule, for the Scandinavian and Danish antiquities of the first Iron Age are usually very similar in type. The presence of this class of fibula in England is most interesting, and highly important. Mr. Neville, in his valuable work Saxon Obsequies, gives a series of these fibulae, from the original model down to the most degenerate form to which it has given birth. There is considerable difficulty in defining accurately the geographical limits of the type, and its early disappearance from Denmark requires explanation, in view of the fact that it conflicts with the teachings of history as to the early home of the Angles. - The examples figured on page 47 show the oldest variety of cruciform fibuke imported from Scandinavia. Amongst these early models, the primordial types of the cruciform fibuke, a few are remarkable as ending in animals' heads, very elongated, and with prominent eyes. Mr. Akerman, speaking of the bronzes from Rugby, expresses the opinion that these are horses' heads.^ In pi. v. we reproduce some examples in which the type, though it has already ' Montclius, Aitti\!iisi,!/,t. 50 ANGLO-SAXON FII^UL^. of tribes allied to them ; the Angles, in fact, who were much more numerous than the Saxons, spread over a larger extent of country.' The word cruciform must not he allowed to suggest any idea of Christianity, the resemblance to a cross being the only reason for so styling these fibula:;. The barrows in which they are found undoubtedly belong to the epoch of the pagan Saxons.' SC^UARIMIEADKI) FIBUL/lv The cruciform fibula is not the only type included in the class of elongated fibuUe. To the group above discussed must be added the second subdivision, square-headed fibuke, though hitherto no distinction has been made between the two types. The division of elongated fibuke into cruciform and square-headed seems reasonable, and will be of use in the study of Anglo-Saxon archccology. English savants give the name of cruciform to the second class, on account of the form which is often assumed by the base ol the fibula. A closer examination, however, shows that it is not always in the shape of a cross ; while the head, on the other hand, always, without exception, retains its rectangular form. This, then, may fairly be considered the characteristic mark of the type, and the title, square-headed fibula, will prevent any confusion with the preceding group. Mr. VVylie's suggested name, double fibula, has not been adopted.^ We cannot admit that this type of fibula is exclusively Anglo-Saxon. Several specimens have been met with in 1' ranee ' and Germany," and we have reproduced two ornaments oi the same form, which were found at Testona,'' Italy. It is, however, only in Scandinavia that we find square-headed fibuke, which recall in their development of form and ornamentation the specimens of Anglo-Saxon handiwork. The results obtained by MM. Hildebrand and Montelius, in their researches into the antiquities of Sweden, are of great service in the study of Anglo-Saxon art. The cruciform fibuke of Sweden are assigned to the first Iron Age;' the square- headed, on the other hand, are classed in the second Iron Age." ' Criuiia Jiri/atiniai, p. 182. ^ ^Vrigllt, The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, p. 481. ^ Wylic, Fairford Graves, p. 19. ■' Ciiranda (Aisiir). .l/tonn of M. l''r. Mcinau, [)1. \\.\i.. Til;, i. - llamlot, Septilliires de Charnay ( Jii'iiK^oi^ne). ^ l,indcnsc:limit, Jlandbidli der Veiitscheii Allerlhuiiisknnde, 'I'af. \vi. aiui .wii. '' Industrie Lon;^obarde, pi. iv., (il;. 7. I'aris, 1 8S.S. " l-'rom the hirlli of Clirist ti(/i'iii, |). 23. SQUARE-HEADED FIBULA. 53 Similar fibular have been found at Harrington ; one sijecimen, admirably gilt, and decorated in a most complicated and curious fashion, is in the collection of Mr. Conybeare.^ Another, from the same spot (pi. \ii., fig. 3), was fcxind on the left shoulder of a skeleton, together with two saucer-sha])ed or concave fibuke of bronze, which still preserved some traces of gilding. This rich grave also yielded an iron knife, a silver bracelet, •' and a few glass and amber i)eads scattered over the upper part of the body." A skeleton discovered by Mr. Neville in the cemetery of Linton Heath. Cambridgeshire, bore on its left breast a fibula belonging to the class with which we are dealing. The grave contained a wooden bucket with bronze hoops, two large circular fibukc, also of bronze, and one hundred and fourteen glass and amber beads, scattered irregularly over the clavicles.' ]\Ir. Akerman, who has carefully examined this fibula, considers it far superior in e.xecution to any other of its class. Archaeologists are generally of opinion that these fibulce were cast. The incised decoration, added after the casting, varied in every instance, imparting to each reproduction an artistic peculiarity which distinguished it from the original model. If this be so, we can understand why these fibukc, while resembling each other .strongly in general outline, are never exactly alike. Mr. Akerman looks upon the Linton Heath fibula as a prototype, and its regularity of ornamentation and delicacy of workmanship seem to entitle it to this distinction. Mr. Akerman has no hesitation in comparing it with the F~airford iil)uke.' To the same archa:>ologist we owe our acquaintance with the fibula from Billesdon, Leicestershire, now in the Leicester Museum. It is of an inferior quality of bronze, much u.sed in Anglo-Saxon art-work. The surface was thinly plated with gold, and certain portions were decorated with a plating of silver, now almost entirely destroyed by oxidation. The ornamentation of this filjula is ](;ss tancitul than is usual with this type, but as a whole it is not devoid of interest.'' A recent purchase has enriched the British Museum with a splemlid series of Anglo-Saxon objects from Kenninghall, Norfolk. This collection, ol which no de.scription has yet been jjublished, includes three stjuare-headed filnila-, one of which, by the kindness of Mr. Charles Read, we are enabled to reproduce ([jI. vi., Iig. 3). ' Report Presented to the Camhriil^e Antiquarian Soeiety, No. x\iii., i>l. viii. (J.iinhrid-e, iSSj;. - Bracelets are excessively rare in .'Xnglo-Saxon graves. ^ Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi., [). 159, and pi. xxxiii. '' Archicological Journal, vol. xi., p. 95. '' Akerman, Remains of J'agan Saxondoni, pi. xxxvii. " Ibidem, pi. xi\-. 54 ANGLO-SAXON FIRn..^, This f>\am])lc is interesting, as showing that the lower part of the square-headed fibula is not always lozenge-shaped, with a tendency to become cruciform. It is impossilih; to enumerate all the known sj^ecimens of the class to which the above-mentioned fibula; belong. W'e will only mention in addition the S]:)orle fibula' in the Norwich Museum, six others found at Chessell Down" (pi. vii., figs. 2 and 6). and the fibula from Marston Hill, Warwickshire.'' CUI'ELIJFORiM OR SAUCER SHAPED FIBUL.E. Anglo-Saxon cemeteries have furnished an interesting series of fibula; which are specially characteristic, and which we look for in vain in the other European countries invaded by the Barbarians. These fibula; are confined to Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Buckinghamshire.'' As we see, they belong exclusively to the West Saxons, and they are specially interc^sting on the ground both of their execution and of their origin. Mr. Wright has lound occasion, in dealing with these remarkable objects, to express his regret that the traces left by the Anglo-Saxons had not been more carefully studied. The circular form, concave like a .saucer, has earned for these fibula; in England the title of disli-shapcd or saitcer-sJiaped' — a name which very fairly describes their peculiarity, and which may be n;ndered in French concave, or cnpelliforme. These fibuke are always of bronze or of copper. The edge is plain and undecorated, while the centre is ornamented with designs of an essentially Saxon character." A play of light was reflectc'd from the polished border upon the glittering incised work in the centre, the decoration of which invariably consisted of rudely engraved outlines of the human face, or of animals, executed in the same style as the cruciform fibula;. Saucer-.shaped fibuLx may be divided into two categories, according to the method of manufacture;. The first are cast in one piece, while the centre is decorated with incised work. ' Akcrman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pi. xxxiv. ■ British Museum. ' Arc/ueologia, vol. xxx., pi. xiii. ■* Wrii^ht, T/ic Cell, Ike Roman, and the Saxon, p. 483. — Mr. Roach Sniitii, in the preface to the Jnvenloriuni Sepulchrale (p. xiv), adds Berkshire. ' 'I'hc period of Saxon graves containing circular concave fibulae; is from the fifth to the seventh century aj)proximately. " In every instance the iron acus is destroyed. CUPELLIFORM OR SAl^CER-SIIAPEl) FIRUL.E. 55 In the second category the ornamental portion consists of a thin plate of bronze i^ilt, which is applied by a further process. The added portion was probably decorated bv hammer-work, the design differing in every specimen,' notwithstanding their gener.il similarity of character. It was presumably soldered to the bron/e, for there is no trace of rivets. The fibular thus constructed in two portions are rarer than those with incised decoration in the solid bronze. The peculiar shape of these ornaments, and the fact that they were generally found in pairs, have led to the belief that they were scales, and Mr. Neville, wh(j bought, at the Stowe sale, some fibuke found at AshendtMi, mentions that they were described in the catalogue as antique scales." There is, however, no foundation for this idea. Among the saucer-shaped fibuke from the cemetery of Fairford, Gloucestershire, we must refer specially to one, the decoration of which is quite e.xceptionak^ The design is in the form of a wheel, surrounded by an interlaced border, while between each radial line is a T-shaped ornament. This style of decoration is thoroughly characteristic of the Anglo-Saxons. Mr. Miintz has recognised it in their manuscripts,' and it has also been found on ornaments older than, or contemporaneous with, these manuscripts. Interlaced ornament was employed by all the Barbarian tribes, but the T, as a decorative motive, is confined exclusively to the Anglo-Saxons. Its introduction in their goldsmiths' work may be the result of a special artistic inspiration, or of individual taste, or it may be due to their inability to give a proper rendering of the features of the human face. Though it is difficult to give a decided opinion as to its origin, it must be noted that the T-shaped decoration is common to their goldsmiths and their scribes. The ever-perplexing study of the arts, as practised by the various Barbarian nations, demands the grouping together of the characteristics common to all the Germanic tribes ; but at the same time the features peculiar to certain nationalities are of equal importance. Mr. Akerman is of opinion that this form of decoration still requires exjjlanation ; but an examination of the Fairford fibula" suggests the thought that it was intended to convey an idea of the principal lines of the human face. The question lies rather within the province of a numismatist familiar with the ] Foster, Account of tlie Excavalion of an Aii,i;lo-Sii.\oii Cciiic/cry at /hiniiii;toN, p. lo. - 'I'huse fibul.u are illustrated by Akerinaa in his Kcinains oj l\i.:^,i)i Saxoitdoiii, ami hy Wright in 7'//r Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon. •^ Fairford Graves, pi. iii., fig. 4. ■' ^ixxni/., A/udes Iconografhiqiies et Archlv/ogiqnes, 1''' .Serie. r.iris, 1887. '' Engraved in Archcrologia, vol. xxxiv., pi. xx. 56 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. debased artistic ty[)cs obscr\able in the ancient coins of Barbarian or semi-Barbarian states.' This very design, for instance, is found on coins of Mercia dating back to a period prior to that oi the similarly decorated fibulie. The ornament resembling a T seems to be a rudimentary representation of the human face. The two branches of the T curve inwards, each underlined, as a rule, by a circle or a point. In some cases the base of the T ends in a bar," or a lozenge- shaped ornament,' rudely suggesting a mouth. These indications are crude and vague, but they lend a certain probability to the idea that it was an attempt to portray the human face.' In the rich series of fibuhe found at Fairford specimens of this type of decoration can be seen in all stages of debasement. Rude outlines of the human face are the starting-point for a succession of modifications which end in the simple representation of the letter T. Anglo-Saxon scribes and jewellers alike have always shown them- Fig. 12. Coi.N" or King Oifa. selves inept, even incapable, when they attempted to portray the human features. The celebrated manuscript " which has recently been placed in the national library is a sufficient proof of this. Certain capital letters, compo.sed of interlaced ornament in the form of animals, ending in clumsy attempts at the human face, betray the same handiwork, and are on the same artistic level as the incised decoration formins>: the centre of several of the Fairford fibuLe. The style of ornamentation in these fibuke also permits the use of lattice-work '' and spiral.s.' The celebrated cemetery of Fairford (Gloucestershire) has produced a consider- able number of concave fibuke. They include every style of decoration, from rudely ' Akcriium, Remains uiin^ the whole ot this period Christianity was doubtless s]weading more and more among the people ; but many pagan customs certainly survived'' (^Crania BrUaiiitica, '• t)n an Anglo-Saxon Skull from Fairford"). '^ A\'ylie, Fairfuvd Graves, p. 16. ' Ibidem, p. 14. 6 5X ANGLO-SAXON FIBULyE. should be made, however, of a fibula from Brighthampton/ Oxfordshire (pi. viii., fig. 4), ornamented with spirals siiiiilar to those referred to above. Mr. Wylie notes also certain fibuke decorated with grotesque faces, and designs which resemble characters in Oriental writing.^ Mr. Akerinan illustrates nine saucer-shaped fibuke from Fairford.^ He states that they appear to have been silvered at the back, where the acus was affixed. The gilding of the front portions is executed with extreme care, and is exceedingly well-preserved, owing to the hollow form of these ornaments. Fir.. Fig. 14. FiauLM FROM Fairford, Gloucestershire, We have said that all the Fairford fibulae were placed on or near the breast. This custom is apparently peculiar to the locality, for at Harnham ' and other Anglo- Saxon cemeteries they were placed above the shoulders, of which fact additional proof is afforded by the presence of traces of oxide of copper on the clavicles. ANNULAR FIHUL/K. Several grou[JS of circular fibula- have been noted in the districts to the north of Kent. 1 here exists another type, though comparatively an unimportant one, to ' Ashniolcan Museum, Oxford. - luiirford Ciravcs, p. 15, pi. iii., figs. 2 and 5. ■* Akcrman, Kciiiains of Pai^aii Saxoiidom, [il. .\i\. ^ Archwolngia, vol. .xxxv., pi. xii. ANNULAR FlRUL^i:. 59 which but little attention has been given hitherto. These fibula*, which are generally of a very simple character, are called by some archaeologists annular. They consist of a bronze ring, usually flat, the centre of which was filled by the folds of the dress, while the acus crossed the whole width of the brooch. The ring generally formed a complete circle, but in a few exceptional ca.ses it consisted of a curved mc^al rod, the e.xtremities of which received some slight decoration. Plate ix., which is devoted to annular fibuhe, reproduces s])ecim(;ns of the simplest, together with some of the most elaborate type. The can; brought to bear on the manufacture and decoration of these latter shows that this form of ornam(;nt had been adopted by the richer class. The copies or imitations of the modest bronze brooches, executed in precious metals, adorned with incised work, with filigree, and Fig. 15. Fibulae from Livonia, Russia. sometimes even with substances of great rarity (pi. ix., figs. 5 and S), prove conclu- sively that annular fibular were not worn only by the poor. Observant English archaeologists have remarked that the penannular fibula is unknown in Prankish barrows.^ A few specimens, however, have been taken from certain cemeteries in Livonia (Russia), two examples of which, borrowed from the work of M. Biihr,- we here reproduce. From the P^airford cemetery come eight fibuke of this type, in bronze, bronze plated with tin, white metal and silver. Two of these are given in pi. ix., figs. 3 and 4. The first is one of a pair found on the same skeleton. In all these specimens the decoration is of the simplest character.^ ' Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondoni, description of pi. xviii. M. !•'. Moreau, however, figures a fibula of this kind, coming from Sablonniere, Aisne, under the following title, " Fihule en IJronzo, dile Aftique," Allmnt C'iraitda, pi. i., fig. 16. ^ J. K. l!iihr, Die Griiher der Liven, Taf. viii. Dresden, 1850. ^ Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondoin, pi. xxx., figs. 1 to 8. — \\'ylie, Fairford Graves, pi. vi. figs. 5 and 6. 6o ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. The cemetery of Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire), which we have so often had occasion to nK;ntion, produced twelve annular fibula;, forming six pairs, generally without ornament, ami all of bronze (pi. ix., figs. 7 and 9). In two cases the iron acus was still intact. Among fibula- of this tyiie, which are remarkable for their simplicity, must be placed those from Rugby, Warwickshire (pi. ix., figs, i and 6). The first of these (tig. i), an incomplete circlet formed by the bending of a metal rod, is very similar in character to the two Livonian specimens from the British Museum to which we have referred al)ove. The second (fig. 6) is very clumsy in execution, and may be compared with the Stowe Heath fibula' (pi. ix., fig. 2). The majority of the bronze annular fibuke are characterised by this excessive simplicity. Those manufactured of the precious metals, and elaborately decorated, are very much rarer. Mr. Akerman reproduces two specimens of the latter type, the decoration of which obviously owes its existence to the artistic inspiration of the Kentish artificers. The first, the source of which is unknown, is a remarkable example of goldsmiths' work, and excels all known specimens in delicacy and finish. The gold plate is covered with filigree work, with the S decoration constantly repeated. The cloisons, which stand out from the surface, contain .slabs of garnet and opaque stones of a greenish colour. The second fibula (pi. ix., fig. 5) is larger. When discovered the iron acus was still in existence, and traces of it are shown in a contemporary eni^ravini;: of small merit. '~ This ornament, together with .some human remains, was found by a labourer in a gravel pit between Husband's Bosworth, Leicestershire, and Welford, Northamptonshire. It consists of a circular plate of silver, to which are affixed two plates of gold, with filigree decoration, united by Ioojjs of gold wire. On these two semicircular plates four ivory bosses are inserted in sockets, with cable pattern borders,' and in the centre of (;ach boss is set a thin circular garnet.' Somewhat similar to the specimen above described is a fibula from Barrington, Cambridgeshire, formed of a thin silver disc, with a circular perforation in the centre. The acus is lost, but it is plain that it crossed the centre of the fibula vertically. On the upper surface of the disc is a series of very slight indentations, forming three concentric circles. This fibula, in all its essential characteristics, ' CulUrlaiica Anliiiiui, vol. ii., pi. xli. - Gciilkiuaii '' Afai;aziiic, i G. ^V. Thomas, " Excavations in an .Xnglo-.Saxon ('cmetery at Sleaford," .-//v/Ar"/^',^/"' vol.1., p. 12, No. 95. " Proceedings of the Antiquarian Society, 2nd series, vol. ix., p. 90. 62 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. KEXTISII CIRCULAR I'l DUL.l':. All the efforts of archaeological research have not as yet produced in any one country a collection of fibula; to he compared with the productions of Anglo-Saxon art. We have still to describe the circular fibuke discovered in the cemeteries of Kent, to which count)' and the Isle of Wight they are almost exclusively confined. There is iiuku^d no difference of opinion as to their rarity in other parts of England.' The preponderance of these highly artistic ornaments in certain cemeteries is very marked. Many of them are extremely tasteful in design and decoration, and give evidence of the most careful workmanship. They are a standing proof of the falsity of the theory taught in English schools, that there was no Anglo-Saxon civilisation. The costume worn by the nations of classic antiquity is revealed to us, in its minutest details, by ancient writers, mummies, sculptures, and frescoes. On the other hand, we have no such sources of information with regard to the Anglo- Saxons, and must look to the remains exhumed from their graves as the only means by which we can obtain a fairly true insight into their customs.' The writers of the Roman decadence often mention golden fibuke, set with precious stones.^' Spartianus, a writer of the time of Diocletian, deplores the ever- increasing love of gorgeous jewellery, and regrets the simplicity of the tunics of Hadrian. He records with delight the disdain of that prince for showy ornaments.' Pollio Trebellius represents Gallienus as steeped in luxury, and adorning his person with fibuku set with glittering gems.'' Vopiscus, discussing the effeminate habits of Carinus, refers in like manner to his habit of wearing jewellery of a similar character.'' No indication is given in these ancient authors of the origin of this fashion, but enough is said to show that these sumptuous ornaments were not products of Roman art. Pollio Trebellius, indeed, mentions a fact which clearly establishes their foreign origin. He relates that Claudius the Goth, before his accession to the throne, wrote to Regillianus in Illyria, asking him to send him some Sarmatian bows, ' W'riL^ht, Tlie Celt, t/ie Roman, and tlie Saxon, p. 478. -' Roacli Smith, Introduction to the Cafalo;^ue of Anglo-Saxon Antiqiiitits; from J-\nvrs/iam, p. xiii. ' .Mi the Kentish circular fibulae; arc decorated with precious stones or with glass. '' ".Sine gcniniis fibulas stringerct " (Spartianus, Jn Iladriano). '■' " Cinn chlaniyde jjurpurea, gcniniatis(|ue fibulis et aurcis visus est .... gemniato baltco usus est caligas gcnimatns annexuit" (I'ollio Trebellius, /// (Jallieno). * " H;il)uit gcuinias in calceis : nisi genmiata libula usus non est" (N'opiscus, /;/ Carino). KENTISH CIRCULAR FIHl'L.E. 63 and two cloaks with their fibuki.' It is pLiin that the reference here was to orna- ments in use in the province where Regillianiis commanded W'e know nothing of the form and style of manufacture of these fibuke, though the)- were undoubtedly different from those usually worn in the later days of the Empire;. It is fiir to presume, however, that the art of Byzantium had intluenced, to some extent, the productions of the Teutonic tribes ; but it is at least as certain that the Romans had borrowed certain customs and certain artistic ideas from their tributaries. - Contact with the Barbarians undoubtedly e.xercised some inlluence on the goldsmiths' work of the Romans, and even if this were a contested point, it is certain that jewels of Barbarian origin were worn by personages of the highest rank. The poet Corippus thus describes the dress of Juslinus II. : " A purple robe, flowing from the shoulders, drapes the person of Cusar. It is fastened by the pin of a fibula, the chains of which are glittering with precious stones, a trophy of his victory over the Goths." " Mr. Roach Smith, in several of his works, compares the circular fibuke o\ Kent to the brooches of similar character found in Prankish cemeteries.' The Kentish ornaments, however, are sufficiently different in djcoration and e.xecution from those of the Continent for us to recognise in them an original style which, at that period, had no counterpart among other nations. By way of illustrating this difference we give a drawing of a circular fibula (pi. .\., fig. 9), reputed to be a I'rankish im[jorlalion into England, and found in Kent in company with other fibuke of the same shape. It is in silver, set with slabs of garnet, and was e.xhumed at k'aversham. In this locality, at Chessel Down, and in other places, intercourse with the Pranks is shown only by importations of this nature. It seems probable that the circular libuke of Kent are of local manufacture ; though Mr. Roach Smith does not consider that the fact is conclusively proved." Mr. Smith asks, whether these precious ornaments were made in the country inhabited by the Saxons, or were simply imported, and, in the latter case, whence ditl they come?'' He has not ventured on a decided answer, but he leans to the opinion that England could as well produce these remarkable fibuke as other Sa.xon objects which are incontestably of native origin. ' " .Vrcus sarmaticos ct duo saL;a atl mc vclim niillas, sod liljiilatdii.i " (I'Dlliu TrclKlliiis, J/i Rcij^illia)}!)). - AkcTiiian, Rcimiins 0/ Fa^an Sndom, dcscriptidii of the Ahin^ilon tihuhi in pi. iii. ■^ Cori[)pus, De Laudibus Jiistiiii Minoris, lib. ii., 1 i.S. ■* Roach Smith, IiUrodiu:tion to ihc Invcnioriiiiii Sipiilihrak. ^ Roacli Smitli, Introduction to the Catahi^iic of Aiii;/o-S(i.\o!i .l/i/i. .Nrcordin;; to Montfaucon, this church was founded by Childebert in 541. '' Douglas, Nenia Jirilanniea, pi. x. '■' See the Inventoriuni Sepulchrale : Kingston Down, .\os. 161, 205,299; (lilton, Xos. 19, 42, .S; : Sibertswold, No. 101. 66 ANGLO-SAXON FIBUL.T:. Tlie second class is more common (pi. x., figs, i, 2. 4, 5, and 8). The principal part is a slightly concave disc of bronze or silver, into which is fitted another disc of gold, divided into cells. The latter is covered with geometrical figures, stars, and buttons, which vary in number in different specimens (pi. x., figs. I and 2). I-'ibula- of the third category are considerably simpler in character, and very abundant. The fibula is composed of a single metallic disc, ornamented with incised work, and set with stones (pi. x., figs. 3, 6, and 7). ]-"rom both the first and the second classes we should obtain much valuable assistance in the study of cloisoiiiu' jewellery. We shall, however, deal with the two last divisions in this place, reserving the first only for discussion under the head of the cloisonne work of Kent. Plate X., fig. I, represents a fibula in silver, with a gold plate decorated with filigree work and garnets, from Sibertswolcl. This specimen belongs to the second category of circular fibuhe. It was found near the neck of the skeleton, together with seventeen amethysts, the barrow containing, in addition, only one large bead, twenty-four smaller, and an ivory hair-pin.' Plate x., fig. 2, is borrowed from Douglas' work,' and represents a fibula formerly in Faussett's collection. The foundation of this ornament is in silver, covered with a plaque of gold, decorated with filigree-work. It is further ornamented with four hemispheres of mother-o'-pearl, one of which forms the central point of the brooch. I£ach of these bosses is surmounted by a garnet on gold foil. I'rom the central boss radiate three triangles, set with slabs of garnets, at the apex of each of which is a circular garnet. In order to give a more distinct idea of the class of ornament we will further mention a specimen from Chartham Down, which we also take fron'i Douglas' book.^ This fibula, like those above described, consists of a thick plate of silver, to which is fitted a smaller plate of gold, which is thus bordered by the silver. All these fibuLc have a more or less regularly beaded border, and are surrounded by a band decorated with niello in zigzags. The Chartham Down fibula is also ornamented with ivory buttons, to the number of five, the centre one being surrounded by garnets set in the gold. I'Lach point of the central star is formed of precious stones, and terminates in a triangular piece of lapis lazuli. P'ig. 5, pi. X., differs in some points of composition from lh(; preceding specimen, but the g(;neral idea is the same. in this piece, found at Wingham, near Sandwich, a disc of bronze is covered by a gold plaque, decorated with filigree. ' ■■'aiissctt, Invciitdriinn Scpiiliiiralc, [). 118, No. 101, and 1>1. ii., fiy. 6. - Douglas, Nciiia JJri/aiiniia, pi. xxi., tig. 9, and [i. 87. ' Ilndeiu, pi. v., fig. i. KENTISH CIRCri.Al^ FnUT,.K 67 In the centre is a four-pointed star of cloisonne in coloured glass, garnets, and blue enamel, the last named in very bad preservation. Bet\v(;en each of the points is a stud inlaid in a circular plate of red glass. The central stud alone is ornamented with an uncut garnet.' In the fibula from Ash (pi. x., fig. S) the foundation is an alloy of silver, to which are affixed thin plates of gold. The centre consists of a very prominent ivory boss, surrounded by a cable-pattern ornament in silver. Garnets set in the gold, alternating with ivory buttons, and separated by .S-shap(;d mouklings in relief in gold, compose the rest ot the decoration. - The number of fibuke belonging to the second category is considerable. Douglas enumerates thirteen examples foinul in K(mt ; b'aussett mentions scn'cral Y\c 17. Fibula from Faveksham (Kent). Others, recorded by Mr. Mayer, in the Invcutormni Scpitickrale, and since that time discoveries have been so numerous that it would be impossible to give a correct list. The third category, consisting of fibula; made in one piece, is represented by figs. 3, 6, and 7 of pi. x. F'ig. 3 is from the grave of a female at Gilton. It is of silver, ornamented with garnets set round a semi-spherical ivory boss, as is usual with this class, while between the stones is incised work, gilt." The other two examples engraved (pi. x., figs. 6 and 7) come from Chatham ' and Faversham ' respectively. The latter place has furnished another specimen, which \\v. rc[)roduce here (fig. 17). ' Akerman, Remains of Pai^an Saxoadoin, y\. xi., fit,', i- ^ Douglas, Nenia Britimnka, i)l. ix., fig. 2. ■" FaiLSsett, Invenforiitm Sepii/c/irah; p. 16, and pi. ii., tig. 7. * Douglas, Nenia Britannica, y\. viii. ^ South Kensington Museum. 68 ANGLO-SAXON FIBULA. The tliird catcn^ory is very largely represented in the Gibbs collection at the South Kensington Museum. Several examples also are figured in the Iiiventoriitm Scpulcliralc^ and in ylrclucoloi^ia Cantiaim. ci.oisoNNi: j]•:\\"I'.l.Ll•.R^■ in ia'cland. When luirope, invaded 1))' the Barbarians, was freed from the I'ioman yoke, there dawned the era of a new type of goldsmiths' work;" classic art disappeared with great rapidity, or underwent a most violent and radical transformation.' The path of the migratory tribes can be traced throughout its length by discoveries of their artistic productions. The process, till then unknown, by which a metallic basis was covered with precious stones or other hard material, set in cloisons of various designs, superseded the Roman method of enamelling. Both styles had the same object in view, namely, to enhance the brilliancy of the metal by the aid of varying colours. To obtain this result the Barbarians had recourse to artistic methods which wc;re in harmony with their tastes, thereby bringing about a complete change in the style of their trink(;ts. Stones, either uncut or in slabs, set in the gold, or contained in delicate cloisons. replaced polychromatic enamels applied to the metal by various proces.ses. The most distinguished .savants have attempted to explain the reason of this almost universal revolution, and several remarkable works have been published on the subject. In all probability this class of ornament is Scythian in its origin. At least it is the Scythian tribes who aided its development, and secured its lasting predominance. The cloisonne' style thus adopted by the Gothic nations during the early centuries of the Christian era permeated all the countries of Europe. Under their iniluence it spread over the Continent froni Novotcherkask in Russia to Petrossa in Roumania, thence to Kalocsa in Hungary, St. Moritz in .Switzerland, Monza in Lombardy, Ravenna in Romagna, Charnay in liurgundy, I'ouan in Champagne, Tournay in Belgium, Envermeu in Normandy ; to Kent, to (iourdon in Aquitaine, to Guarrazar and Oviedo in Spain, and to many other places in ' I'lntcs ii. and iii. ^ " 'I'liis class cif goldsniitlis' work is reiiinrkalilc, aiiionij; other special characteristics, for the eni|iIo)- nicnt of !/arncls, tabulated, lamellated, or occasionally uncut, sometimes simi)ly set in the metal, some- times disposeil in symmetrical patterns, either in a bezel or in very delicate cloisonne"' {Dc Lastcyric /.'OrfiTnrh', p. dy. I'aris, 1877). •' A rcMilution alike niii Aiilii/iiitics fiviii /■'avirs/in/n. - The small size of the cloisons iia.s been noticed, in the case oi' the Sittingijourne and AhinL;don filjuku, by ]\Tr. Akerman in hi.s description of pl.-^. iii. .iiid \.\i\. of the Ri-iiidins of J'li^an SaxoitJ^tni. 72 .\xr,L()-SAX(Xx Fir.ri..E. very small scak:, and the materials employetl of little value ; while the general effect is much less striking;' than in the (iothic ornaments of the South. It is verv imjirobable tb.al the Jutes were the introduc(-rs of f/oisomir work into (ireat ISritain, for they could not have learnt it from the (iothic nations ol the North. We are in full agreement with the oi)inion expressed by M. Odobesco, that the I{ astern Goths ' alone have handed on the knowledge of cloisouu' work to the inhabitants of the North and W^est The Kentish ornaments are characterised by remarkable regularity and symmetry of design. Concentric circles of decreasing diaineter- contain cells of various shapes, fitted into one another with the greatest precision. The general scheme of decoration invariably takes the form of a more or less simple geometrical figure, resulting from the regular combination of these compartments. But it is not only in style that the cioisoniic' of Kent resembles the numerous analogous productions found scattered over luirope ; the materials themselves, garnets,' lapis lazuli,' ivory," molher-o'-pearl,'' turquoises,' and rubies," are of Eastern origin. 'I'hus the discoveries ot archa-ology attest the importation of an Eastern industry into I'^ngland, though the ancient te.xts are silent as to the e.xistence of any intercourse between the Goths of the l{ast and the inhabitants of Kent. Towards the end of the last century Douglas, studying the magnificent fibula from Heppington, Canterbury," was driven to look to the East for its origin. He recognised in this brooch all the characteristics of a Persico-Gothic style much appreciated in the Western Empire, and concluded that all these fibuhe were im- portations, the result of invasion or of commerce.'" Since Douglas' period Anglo- Sa.xon archaeology has made notable strides, but his conclusions have not in any degree lost their interest. Minute descriptions of the.se magnificent ornaments have been given by ViU'ious ' 'I'Iil: (loths who issued fium Russia arc the only tribe, among their JSarharian contemporaries who iiavc Ljiven [iroof of any artistic taste. - In the Kingston libiiia there are seven circles, divided into coin[)artments, some containing filigree and others slabs of precious stones. ■'• Nearly all the circular fibuhe of Kent are orn.imented with garnets, or with coloured glass, in imitation of those stones. M. Henslmann has remarked that the ("loths had a \ery strong predilection for red stones.- --////('/-w//'w«(?/ Caiii^rfss of Ihida I'csf/i, p. 527. ' Sittingboinne fibula. --///-(7^.v;/(;;,'/Vi?/ Index, pi. \vi., and Remains of l\i;^an Saxondoni, pi. xxix. — Anhuologiail Albuni, pi. ii. — Col/aianca Antiijiia, vol. i., pi. xxxvi. ■'' l''ibuke from Sittingbourne, .'\bingdon, and other places too numerous to mention here. '' I'ibiila from Kingston I )own. — hivcnloriuiii Scpi/hiira/e, pi. i., and i). 77. '' l'ibul;e from Kingston Down, and from .Minster, Kent. ■* Wright. 7'//(' Cc//, tin- Rrnuin, and the Saxon. '■' Douglas, .Vi/ii'd Ihitanniia, 1793. '» 1 hi dan. •• CLOISONNE JEWELLERY IN ENGLAND. 73 English writers, to whose works we must refer the reader, in order to avoid lengthy and unnecessary repetition. We cannot, however, pass over one special peculiarity of the Kingston fibula, which belongs to the very highest type of c/oisontK' jewellery. On the back of the brooch is a projection, intended to catch the point of the acus, in the form of a grotesque animal's head, the eyes, nostrils, and neck of which are decorated with filigree work ' (fig. iS). The same idea is seen in the splendid fibukc of W'ittisHngen -' and Nordendorf.' These heads of dragons and grotes<]u<; animals an? g(m(;rally indications of Gothic workmanship. ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventoriinn Sc/>iik/irah\ \i. x\ii, i,Sj6. - Lindenschniit, Die Alterthiinicr . . . ]5an(l iv., 'i'af. x.\iv. •'' Lindensciimit, HandbucJi da- Deiilsduii AlttrlluiiU'ikiiihh\ Taf. w., 1886. CIIATKLAINES, OR GIRDLK-HANGKRS. MONG the objects exhumed from Anglo-Saxon graves are certain bronze pieces, generally found in pairs near the waist of female skeletons.' Anglo-Saxon ladies wore a very complicated dress, richly and elegantly ornamented. These bronze objects, called by English archaologists girdle-hangers, have attracted considerable attention. Nothing resem- bling them has been found in the cemeteries excavated on the Continent, nor has Kent furnished a single specimen. They belong, in fact, exclusively to the districts occupied by the Angles. Plate xi. is devoted to these objects, but we only give a very limited number, in order to be able to reproduce them the natural size. Besides, all the known specimens are similar in their general outlines ; it is only in the details that there is any variety. The shape of these objects at first suggested the idea that they might be keys ; but this view had soon to be abandoned, the bronze not being sufficiently thick or strong for that purpose. Mr. Roach Smith, who took a great interest in these mysterious articles, is of opinion that they are girdle-pendants, serving the same purpose as the modern chatelaine. He compares them to certain triangular plates, in open-work bronze, found in Germany, at Sinsheim- and Selzen.'' This comparison, however, would only be permissible if we could consider the German bronzes as mutilated specimens ; as a matter of fact they have retained their original shape. Similar ornaments have been found on the banks of the Rhine and in France, and it is quite impossible to attribute to them the same role as that of the Anglo-SaxcMi bronzes of which we are speaking. ' Wiii^ht, Tlic Celt, the Roman, and tlic Saxon, p. 491.- -Roach Smith, Collectanea Antii;iia, \(il. \., '- Ja/irci/ierie/il an die Mit;^Iieder der Gesellscliaft 7'on R. W'il/ielnii, 18,58. ■'' I.iiiilfnschinit, Das Gcrnianisehc ToJlenlae^er hei Selzen, |). 25, 1S48. — Collectanea Antiijiia, vol. ii. pi. Ivi., ('14. 4. 74 CHATELAINES, OR GIRDLE-HANGERS. / :> Most archaeologists are of opinion that these ornaments were the fastenings of a bag.' Mr. Wright believes them to have served this purpose, basing his view on the presence of holes in the extremities of certain si)ecimens, these holes being at times even furnished with rings- (pi. \i., fig. 2). Mr. Thomas agrees, but argues from some new and very interesting observations.' He shows that five out of eight of the girdle-hangers coming from the cemetery of Sleaford were accompanied by certain small objects in bone or ivory, disposed in an incomplete circle, about nine centimetres in diameter near the up[)er part of the girdle-hanger. The presence of these small bone objects had not been previously noticed. These girdle-hangers, therefore, were probably the framework to which was attached a purse of stuff or of leather. The metal portion often shows traces of an adhesion of stuff, ''^ and the decoration of the bronze is only on one side. Again, the perforations at the base, and especially at the angles, seem to show that the girdle-hangers were fastened to .some textile fabric. A good many specimens are figured in Mr. Roach Smith's Collectanea Antiqiia:' We reproduce the example from Searby (pi. xi., fig. 2), found close to the thigh- bone. The grave contained, in addition, a pair of quoit-shaped tibuke, corresponding in position to the breasts, and a necklace of twenty or thirty glass and amber beads about the neck. One of these pendants, exhumed without its lellow from the barrow of Sporle, near Swaffham, Norfolk, is also given in the same work. Chatelaines being rare, it may be useful to mention the localities in which they have been found ; these are, in addition to those already cited, Stowe Heath,'' Suffolk (pi. xi., fig. i) ; Scaleby,' near Caistor, Lincolnshire ; Little Wilbraham,'' Cambridgeshire (pi. xi., fig. 3); a place not accurately specified in Leicestershire;" and Soham,'" Cam- bridgeshire. ' Pioceedings of /he Soiiety <>/ ^hi/ii/iurrics of London, 2nd suiics, \()1. v., i>. 4v<', I'Sy^. - W'riglit, The Celt, the Konuin, and the Saxon, p. 491. •* G. W. Thomas, "On Excavations in an Anglo-Saxon Ccniclcry at Sleaford, in Linculnsliirc," Archaologia, vol. 1., p. 4. ^ Roach Smith, Collectanea Antiqiia, vol. ii., p. 234. ^ Ibidem, vol. ii., pis. xxxix., xli., Iv., Ivi. ; vol. v., pi. xiii. " Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pl. xxxix., lii;. 2. '' Ivoach Smith, Collectanea Antiijiia, vol. ii., pl. Iv. ** Neville, Saxon Obsequies, pis. xiii. and xiv. '■' Wright, The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, [). 41). '" J'roceedings (f the Society of Antiquaries of London, !>. 496, 187;,. NECKLACES AND GLASS BEADS. EVERAL varieties of beads are included amongst the mortuary furniture of AnHo-Saxon barrows. Even the most modern are undoubtedly of older date than the introduction of Christianity, and those found in the graves of Saxons who had been converted to the new religion must be referred to a period earlier than that of the burial. Many pagan superstitions still lingered among the new converts, and these beads retained their mysterious prestige in the eyes of the Barbarians, and had lost none of their miraculous virtue.' In the opinion of Mr. Wright the many varieties exhumed from Anglo-.Saxon barrows are composed in part of Roman specimens of the commonest type, and in part of beads which undoubtedly belong to Anglo-Saxon art. The manufacture of Roman beads no doubt continued after the colonisation of Great Britain by the Anglo-.Saxons, and Mr. Wright has satisfied himself of the existence of every variety in Saxon cemeteries. Glass beads certainly belong originally to Roman art. The beads in terra cotta or faience, incrusted with vitreous substances, are undoubtedly of Anglo-Saxon origin, and are necessarily in various styles. These brilliant incrustations are in many colours, and are executed with excellent taste. - Some archaeologists have remarked the resemblance between the necklaces of glass beads from Barbarian graves and those coming from Asia and Africa. The famous traveller Masson has noted the analogy between the beads exhumed in Saxon cemeteries and those of the mounds of Northern India. Mr. Roach Smith is prepared to attribute these objects to importation from the East.'' Pollio Trebellius mentions a large trade in beads, which he calls geiiiincr vitrcu\ or bulhc vitrecc^ Glass beads are sometimes transparent, sometimes opaque ; occasionally transparent in part only. Those of medium size are of every po.ssible shape — • rounded, llat, or conical, cylindrical, oblong, or s(|uare; they vary as much in ' •■Remarks on a (Coloured Drawing of some .Xncicnt J]cad.s executed by IJ. Nighting.ile," Arc /ill n/tii^/d, I .S 5 I . - Wright, '/'//<■ ('/•//. ///<• A'(i//i(i;i, mid tlw Sii.\y>/i, |). .426. " Introduction to the Jnvciiloriiim Scpii/i/irak, pi. xwvi. — I'aversham Catalogue, p. xvi. ' I'oiiio 'rrebcliiu.s, Dc Gallieno. — Claud., Epigrmnm. de Crystallo. 76 XECKLACRS AXD CLASS P.RAIXS. -~ colour as in form.' There is no doubt that they were used, .is Mr. Wright savs, to form necklaces, which were worn by both se.xes.- Certain other beads of exceptionally large size have also been discovered in Anglo-Saxon graves. These specimens are not apparently connected with the smaller varieties by any intermediate gradations in size. Archaologists, therefore, who have found them in the Barbarian cemeteries of the Continent have not hesitated to place them in a separate category. Archieologists have often mistaken for necklace Ijeads a class of objects which while they are similar in appearance, are not identical in shape. They are less regular than the rounded beads intended to be seen from all sides, and, though larger, they cannot be compared with those intended for us(i in necklaces. They I-ui. 19. liicADS riiOM Sii;i:m.^\voi.i), Ki:: are semi-spherical, the rounded side being covered with ornament, while the llat surface is quite plain. This arrangtiiiient clearly indicates that th(^ object was intended to be attached to the clothing, so that the [)ortion which was decorated like the beads was alone visible. A hole drilled through the centre rentlereil the fixino- of these ornaments an easy matter. '' Mt'ssrs. Wylie, Akerman, antl Chitlet, and some other antiquaries, regard these large; glass beads as amulets or talismans.' Baudot, however, as the result of his own observations, preferred to regard them as a ' Douglas, Nenia Brilannica, p. 115. '^ Wright, The Celt, the Komau, and the Saxon, p. i8(;. 3 Baudot, Sepultures des Barhares de I' I'.piKiue Menn'in;e:ienne, p. C12. ^ Mr. Wylic remarks on the rarit\ and the interesting nature of a large he.id in greenish glass which he foinid near the hand of a skeleton (Juiirford Ciraves, p. 14). ilie gra\e ul .1 w.urior .iImi contained an amulet bead of green and bluish glass {Jhideni, \). 20). 78 NKCKLACi:S AM) GLASS I5EADS. kind of button employed to fasten the garment, and it is cjuite possible that they have been (jccasionall)' used instead of fibuLe for this purpose. With fastenings of this character, a loop ot cord or a simple button-hole would suffice to hold the robe firmly. The e.xplorer of the Charnay cenietery has called attenticMi to the absence of fibuke from the graves containing these large glass beads, which he calls buttons, while Douglas had long before expressed almost the same opinion. These large beads are about eight centimetres in diameter. Some few speci- mens, trans[xu-c:nl, with opacjue white decoration, and others with circular yellow lines on a black ground, have a perforation oi exceptional size. They have apjiarently been used as buttons, to fasten the folds of the garment.' W'e figure on the previous page three of these beads from Sibertsvvold Down, Kent. Tliey are found exclusivel) in the graves of females." Anglo-Saxon cemeteries contained beads ot various materials, as is shown by the excavations of b'aussett. Amber, glass, both transparent and opaque, clays of difterent colours, crxstal, amethystine quartz, and even silver, were employed in their manufacture." Besides these varieties, Douglas mentions a row of garnet beads, and others made from shells. The latter, which are of Eastern ori":in, are generally from a shell oi the genus Cyprea.' The abundance ol amber beads in Anglo-Saxon graves is a fact beyond dis[)ute ; ' they vary, however, very much in size and shape, being sometimes round, at others lozenge-shaped, s(|uare, or flat.'' The decom[)Osition, however, which has taken place on the surlace of the material has destroyed their transparency, their lustre, and their polish. These amber beads, unless found singly, formed a I)art of the necklace. I'acitus states that amber was collected on the shores of the Baltic by the (jermanic tribes, who were astonished at the high prices they obtained for it.' Pliny also tells us that it was largely em[)loyed by the Romans in the manufacture of jewellery. It was held in high estimation by the Roman ladies, though Pliny seems unable to assign any reason for their preference.** These beads were not only used as ornaments, but were also talismans for protection from danger, ' I liniLilas, Neiiia Jiritunnua, p. 114. - l-'aussctt, liivcntoritiiii Scpuhiirah\ |i. 108, Nos. 30 and 31. ■'■ Roach Siiiitli, Inuoductioii to llic //iTeii/orii/in Stpulihrale, \\. xvi, el sci/. ' iJouglas. Xt/iiii /!/ i/tuiiiiiii, |i. 115. ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the JnniitiuiKiii Si'piilihrah'. [i. wvi. ■ I i(HiL;his, At7//V/ y)V//r///«/i(;, p. 114. ' 1 a( itu>, IJc Maril'iii Gcrniaiioruni, xlv. *" " I'roxinuiui locum ni dchciis, fuminatinn tamcii adhuc tautum, succina obtincnt cadcmcjuc omnia hac cjuam Lrcmma auctoritatcm," etc., {Hist. Aat., lib. xxxvii., cap. 9). CRYSTAL BALLS. 79 and especially against witchcraft. Mr. Wright has frequently notictnlin Anglo- Saxon graves a single amber bead, hung round the neck, or [)laced near the hi^ad of the corpse,' and it is probable that this practice was v(;ry general, for St. Eloi enjoined on women not to wear amber beads in this manner." Beads in amethyst are very fn^cjuently found in I^nglantl, and especially in Kent.^ A barrow explored at Breach I3own, in the village of Barham, near Canter- bury,' contained a complete necklace composed of eighteen beads of amethystine quartz. This example has been re|)roduced by Akerman.' Beads of this suljstance are constantly found in Kent ; for example, one necklace comi)Osed of various materials contained eleven of them." Douglas calls them native amethysts, but Akerman, relying on a chemical analysis, asserts that there is good reason for believ- ing them to be of Transylvanian origin. It must be admitted, however, that amethystine quartz of the same character is found at Oberstein in Germany. These beads, and the crystal balls of which we have next to treat, are drilled with extreme regularity,' the perfection of their workmanshi[) indicating an advanced stage of the lapidary's art.^ CRYSTAL B.'VLLS." The oldest mention of crystal balls coming from Anglo-Saxon graves is in Douglas,^" who attempts to prove that they were used for occult purposes. Mr. Roach Smith, however, is of opinion that all the objects exhumed are capable (M a perfecdy simple explanation, and sees no reason to seek for any exceptional inti:r- pretation in the case of articles the use of which is somewhat less obvious, or to assign to them any fanciful ivlc)^ The crystal balls which have formed the subject of 1 Wright, The Celt, the Rotnaii, and the Saxon, p. 48;. ' Dom Grenier, Introduction to the llistoire Generate de la Pieardie, p. 315. 5 Archceologia, vol. xxxvii., p. 149, TS55. ■I Ibidem, vol. xxx., p. 47. ^ Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pi. v. « Douglas, Nenia Britannica, p. 35, pi. ix., fig. i, and p. 4I"), pi. \ii., tigs. 1 and j. ' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Ijiventorium Sepiilchrate, p. \\vi. * Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, [). 9. 'J Douglas' note on pp. 14 and 15 of ^'enia Britanniea puts the case so slrongl) , in favour of the crystal ball being used for magical purposes, that it is 'x-rtainly not to be disiiosed of by the somewhat summary methods of Mr. Roach Smith. Douglas points out, that it was employed f(jr purposes of divina- tion — a use which certainly lasted into the middle ages in luuope among the i)ractitioners of the occult sciences. It was also so used in Japan and the Far Ivist generally, and magic crystals may slillj with difficulty, be obtained in those regions. — Translator. ^^ Douglas, Nenia Britannica, \^. iv., fig. 8. " Roach Smith, Preface to the Invcntoriiim Sepuletii ate, p. xxxvii. So NECKLACKS AND GLASS BEADS. Douglas' long dissertation are merely ornaments intended to be hung from the waist, or worn in some other way.' After a comparison of similar examples from Ober- llacht (Swabia) with those discovered in England, and especially in Kent, W'ylie pronounces them to be amulets. Tht; poem of Beowulf gives an illustration of the Teutonic belief in their virtue. One of these talismans, we read, was attached to the crest of the helmet, to neutralise the force of the enemy's blows,- and it seems probable that this marvellous protector was a ball or a bead of some kind. This th(;ory appears to obtain some conlnnnation from th(; fibula in th-Sa.\t>ii Anti(iuilies in the Soiitli Kensini^/nn Afiisciun. '' I'aussett, Iiri'cntorium Stpiikhi'ale, ]). 42. " Douglas, Nenia Jlrifaiutica. [)1. iv., fig. 8. * Roach Smith, I'reface to the Jm'cntoriiiin Scpulcliralc, p. xxvii. '' Roach Sniith, Catalogue of A)ii:^Io-Sa.\( n and otiicr Antujuilks disan'cnd at luncrsliani in Kent, p. 10, No. 1147. CRYSTAL PALLS. Si another of the same kind was found by Mr. r>rcnt in th(; cemetery of .Sarrc. Kent.' The presence of these amulets in the Kentish cemeteries, in conjunction with per- forated silver spoons, constitutes one of th*; points of resemblance l)etw(;cn the Ijurial- places of that county and those of the Isk; of Wit^ht, and clearly indicates a close Fig. 20. Bali, fkom Ciiaiham, Ki;nt. relationship between their inhabitants. Bede had excellent reasons for his assertion, that settlers in Kent and the Isle of Wight had a common origin, l)oth being of Jute descent," and archaeology adds the wcMght of its discoveries in sup[)ort of this contentifjn. Mr. Hillier found in the Chessell Down cemdery two crystal balls, ' Arc/ueologia Cantiaiia, vol. v., p. 310. — Roacli .Smith, Cdllcilaih-a A/i/i,/Na. vol. \i., p. 150, i.SoS. ^ Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi., p. 150. 82 NECKLACES AND GLASS BEADS. suspended in the same manner as the Chatham specimen,' and, as in the latter case, one of tliem was accompanied b\' a perforated sil\"er spoon.' The historical evidence on this interesting question has been fully discussed, and is now admitted without reserve. The corsairs of the I'risian coast ' are the earliest people mentioned in history as ha\ing formed a permanent settlement in Great Britain (a.d. 488). A little later, according to the statement of Nennius, another colony was founded in the neighbourhood of Wall by the Jute Chiefs Octa and Ebissa ; while at the beginning of the sixth century a further westward migration took place. To these we must add, on the authority of Bede,' the establishment of a colony of Jutes in the Isle of Wight. This historian states that the population of Kent, the Isle of Wight, and the Hampshire coast opposite the Island, were descended from the Jutes, a Germanic nation ; '' and Anglo-Sa.\on chroniclers seem unanimous on that point.'' We have now to consider the perforated balls." The earliest discovery of this character was made in the course of some excavations undertaken by Lord Londes- borough in a barrow at Breach Down, near the village of Barham, Kent.^ It is probable that this interesting specimen is from the grave of a female. The mortuary furniture consisted of a necklace of eighteen amethyst beads, a circular gold pendant, in the centre of which was set a garnet, and, finally, two plain silver finger rings.'^ Amulets of this type are not confined exclusively to Kent. Mr. Wylie mentions three found at Fairford, of which one, which he figures, came from the grave of a warrior.'" Another specimen, placed in a mortuary urn, was exhumed at Ilunsbury Hill, Northamptonshire," while Mr. Wyatt notes the discovery of a similar object at Kempston, near Bedford.'" In various localities on the Continent, which we briefly enumerate, the Barbarian 1 Hillicr, History and Antiijiiilies of the Isle of ]Vii:;ht. — Inventorium Sepiilchrale, I'rcfarc, p. xwii. 2 Roach Smith, Introduction to the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities from luurrsluvn, ji. vii. ■' Worsaac, The Danes and A^orwegians, p. xvii, 1852. '• Thurnam and Davis, Cratiia Britannica, chap. vi. London, 1865. '•' liedc, I/ist. Eccles., iji<. i., chap. xv. '' Laiipemherg, vol. i., \). 96. ' It seems probable that tliis class of crystals, as well as those which were cut in facets, were merely worn as ornaments, or at most as talismans. Their value for purijoses of divination would, by the analouy of Ivistern crystals, be destroyed by drillinij; or cutting. — Translator. ** Archieologia, vol. xxx., p. 47. '■' Akernian, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, ji. y, pi. v. '" Wylie, Iniirford Graves, \>\\. 15, 19, 20, |)1. iv., fig. i. " Remains of J'agan Saxondom, p. \o.— Journal of the A reha-oiogieal Institute, vol. ix., p. 179. '-' Collectanea Antiijua, vol. vi., p. 150. CE^YSTAI. BALLS. S3 cemeteries have furnished these amulets. The so-called tomb ot Childeric contained a crystal ball.' Several others were found by M. F. Moreau in the department of Aisne. Another, now in the l-lvans Collection, was formerly amongst iIkj treasures of Pecquigny (Somme). Perforated crystal balls have also been found at \'ic(i (Seine- et-Oise), Nesles-les-V'erlincthun ' and Sens (Pas-de-Calais). A siuL^le specimen comes from the cemetery of Spontin," Belgium, and, finally, their presence has been recorded in Germany at Nordendorf, Alzey,^ Heddesdorf, and Schiersteiner. ' ' Abbe Cochet, Le Toinbcau de Childhic, y. 221. - I. Vaillant, Le Ciineticre Fnnico-iiuTOvingicn de Aeslcs-lts-l'tr/iiui/iiui, pi. iii., fig. 5. Arra.s, iSSTi. 2 Namur Museum. * Mayence Museum. ^ Lindcnschmit, Die Altcrthi'imcr, band ii., taf. 6, heft xii. EARRINGS, HAIRPINS, AND COMBS. AR RINGS have never held the same rank as ornaments with the Anglo-Saxons as with the Franks. The Barbarian graves of Belgium, France, the Rhenish provinces, Bavaria, and, above all, Hungary, have produced a large number of specimens, some of them of great beauty. The scarcity and the extreme simplicity of these ornaments in England, when compared with their abundance elsewhere, is one of the distin- guishing features of Anglo-Saxon cemeteries. While their rarity is thus a matter of comparison, of their simplicity there is no question. These English earrings were manufactured by the same process as the finger rings of silver wire, namely, by simply bending the metal into the form of a ring, to which a spiral twist is occasionally imparted.' From the cemetery of Chavenage, Gloucestershire, earrings were exhumed formed of thin crescent-shaped plates of silver, running into very fine points, which were connected by a twisted wire.' Mr. Akerman cites an earring in copper or alloy, gilt, found near Stamford, Lincolnshire ; ' and a pair of these ornaments were dis- covered near a female skull at Fairford, Gloucestershire. Careful search has been made for traces of these ornaments, their comparative rarity having given them a special interest, and here and there some few isolated beads have been discovered, and cited in archaiological works. For example, a bead of white and turquoise blue, which had formed part of an earring, was exhumed at Sleaford, Lincolnshire." Graves Nos. 65 and 66 in this cemetery yielded two glass beads," one of opaque white, the other of yellow, also opaque, which had been broken off an earring. Grave No. 4 produced an earring in twisted bronze ; '' while its neigh- ' \V'right, The Celt, the Jioinaii, and the Saxon, p. 485. - Ibidem. ■^ Akerman, Remains of J'ai:;an Saxondoin, pi. xii., fig. 3, p. 26. ' \Vylic, Fairford Graves, p. 14. ■'' (I. \\ . 'I'homas, On Excavations in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Sleaford, p. 7, 1SS7. '' Undent, p. 10. ' Ibidem, p. 7. 84 HAIRPINS. 85 hour contained a small specimen in silver similarly treated.' Lastly, two other o-raves numbered 197 and 232 yielded several e.xamples in iron, simply twisted.' Mr. Roach Smith has been unable to come to a definite conclusion as to the beads set in rin Sawn Cenntiry at Slca/i>rJ, \\. 8, i8/iu ments Historiijucs dans Ic Grand-Duehe de Luxembourg, T852, t. \iii. '' Namur Museum. Frankish graves at I'urfoo/. ' .'Vbbe Cochet, Normandie Souterraiue, [>. 2\%. Le Tombeau de Childlric, p. .■)/ J- '* " Hie quoque monstra domat, rutili (juibus arce cerebri, .'\d frontcm coma tracta jacet, nudatacjue cervi.x. Setarum per damna nitet, cum lumine glauco Albet aquosa acies, ac vultil)us undicjue rasis, Pro barba tenues perarantur pectine aristae." {Panegyr. Major., V., 238 1/is., 242.) ^ .M^erman, Remains of Pagan Saxondorn, pi. xxxi., figs, i, 2, and 3. — Douglas, Neiiia Jh-ilanniea. — The Archaological Journal, vol. xxxiv., p. 451. '" Neville, Saxon Obseijuies, pp. 8 and ri. " Akirman, Remains of Pagan Saxondoiu, pi. xxii., p. 44. '^ Ibidem, p. 78. COMBS. 89 Furlong^ (Northamptonshire). Lastly, four specimens were exhumed, in 1828, from the graves at Lancing, Sussex.- Combs completely analogous to those placed in Anglo-Saxon graves have been discovered in Ireland. They are generally of bone, ornamented with incised lines and circles, with a central point. Mr. Roach Smith has described the combs from Lagore, which afford several interesting points of resemblance with those of Anglo- Saxon cemeteries. The warriors and priests sculptured on the ancient stone crosses of Ireland are almost always represented with long flowing locks ; while the abundance of combs found in company with antiquities of the Iron Age at Lagore and elsewhere attests the attention which was paid to the hair. The resemblance between the Irish specimens and those met with in England and on the Continent cannot fail to be remarked.^ Scotland also has preserved certain stone monuments, attributed to the eighth century, on which are carved numerous combs, surrounded by crosses, lions, elephants, and other subjects.' ' Wright, The Celt, the Romati, and the Saxon, p. 492. London, 1885. '^ Roach Smith, Collectanea Antiqua, vol. !., p. 93. ' " Irish Antiquities of the Saxon Period," Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iii., p. 43, pi. xii. ■' J. Stuart, Sculptured Stones of Scotland. Album publisiied at Aberdeen in 1857 by the S[)alding Club, pis. ii., iv., ix., xii., xvii., xxxiii., Ixiii., Ixxiii., Ixxxix., and cxii. 10 BUCKLES. I^T Ml. 7^ ^) P H E buckles found in Barbarian graves are important, not only from their number, but also from their great variety of form. The wide- spread use of buckles proves that swords, knives, and other weapons were slung from a belt fastened tightly round the waist. These buckles are often very elaborately decorated ; in some cases they are set with precious stones, or glass in cloisons} The sword-belt was worn by all the tribes who invaded the Roman Empire, whether Franks, Saxons, Burgundians, or Germans.- The researches of archaeology into Anglo-Saxon antiquities have shown that while those counties which are near the coast or the rivers contain buckles in abundance, those inland furnish only very few specimens.^ This scarcity was noticed at Little Wilbraham, where eighty-eight graves only yielded nine buckles, four in iron and five in bronze.'' A single specimen, in iron, came from Fairford ; ■' while Mr. Akerman does not mention one from the Kemble cemetery (Wiltshire), though he explored it with great care." The investigations of Mr. Roach Smith led him also to the conclusion that while tolerably common in Kent, buckles are rare in other parts of England.^ The same archceologist, however, speaking of the numerous buckles from Faversham,** says that the largest specimens are less common in Kent than in the other counties of Great Britain.'' Kentish buckles generally belong to the triangular type,^" and are mostly of ' \\'right, The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, p. 476. ^ Abbu Cochet, Le Tombeau de Childeric, p. 245. — Akerman, Remains 0/ Taiwan Saxondoni, p. 8. '^ Abbe Cochet, Ibidem, p. 268. ■* Neville, Saxon Obseqtiies, pp. 8, 15, and 23. ' Wylie, Fairford Graves, pi. xii., fig. 7. '' Akerman, " Account of the Discovery of Anglo-Saxon Remains at Kemble," ArchiColoi;;ia , vol. xxxvii., p 2. ' Inventorium Sepulchrale, p. 63, note i. " ^Ve have given illustrations of four buckles from this locality, pi. xii., ligs. 2, 4, 6, and y. •' Roach Smith, Introduction to the Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon and otiier Antujuities, Favcrsliain, Kent, p. vii. '" liuckles from I'avcrsham, in the South Kensington Museum, and the John Evans Collection. — Faussett, Inventorium Sepulchrale, pi. viii., figs. 9, 10, and 12 ; pi. ix., figs, i, 2, and 3. — .\kerman. Remains 0/ Pagan Saxondoni, pi. xxviii., fig. 2 ; pi. xxxix., fig. i. yo BUCKLES. 91 simple bronze. We shall later on refer more particularly to the richly ornamented specimens. The large massive buckles form a special variety which was used exclusively by men.^ The example which we figure (fig. 21) is from a barrow at Kingston Down, in which a warrior had been buried. The grave contained, in addition, a javelin," a conical umbo, and another smaller ])uckle.''' On the other hand, the more elegant buckles of smaller size were worn by women. '■ The triangular form is also found in Prankish buckles ; indeed, the Abbe Cochet considers the similarity so complete that it is easy to confuse specimens coming from France"' with those of English origin. Roach Smith has also remarked this resemblance," which is especially noticeable in the simpler examples (pi. xii., figs. 7 «=r^-^ ^'' ■^^«^^ ^m ^^'^ "^ " HKI ra • ^^P|^-V'^"V -;J^^ S^^l ^^SSkSs^f v^^ B^^ ^Syjt^^-' ■ ' ^^^'"^ ^^^^H HHH^Hj^^^-r^'''^ :'-..'., jBB m^^BHhH^ - ^^^9 s B'ffFfi ■ f -"-^^^ '""^^H ^^^^^^^^^^^iBHi^B i^H^^^^^^^^^^Es^^^figs 1 B'^^ V ■ "^^^a ' %Mi ^fiH^Si^-~/^^^^aHkSI^H ^^^^^S^^^^^^^i^^^BBH ^^Mw^jm^u^ Vt ' . .-v^^S gBij||^3^^^g^^t^^^^^B ^H^R^^^^kJ^^^S^^OH ^^ *i ^HBRH^^^^^H^H^^^^tv >y__ ^[^^p ^M 8^^ m ^ , »». -■" Fig. 21. Buckle from Kingston Down. and 8). These pieces, which are without plates on either side, are exactly analogous to those which have come, in considerable numbers, from Prankish sources. A few buckles are decorated with coloured glass, precious stones, and filigree.' A comparison of the workmanship with that of the splendid circular fibuLx- of Kent shows that they are of the same manufacture. These gorgeous belt-buckles recall the baldrics which were in use at the same period ; it was with one of the latter valuable articles that Alfred decorated his grandson Athelstane.** 1 Roach Smith, Introduction to the Invciitorium Septihhrak, p. xxviii. 2 This weapon measured 120 centimetres. ^ Faussett, Jnvetilorinvi Sepiikhrak, p. 63. •' Roach Smith, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon and other Antiquities, FaTers/iain, Kent, Introchiction, p. x\-. '^ Abbd Cochet, Le Tomheau de Childerie, p. 273. " Roach Smith, Introduction to the Inventorium Sepulchrale, p. xxviii. ' IHdem. "" "Quern etiam praemature mihtcm fecerat, donatum chlamydo rnccine.i, ;4enimato h:ilthoo, ense saxonico cum vagina aurea " (William of NTalmesi)ury, hk. ii., chap. 6). 92 RUCKLES. Specimens of the work of Anglo-Saxon goldsmiths are numerous ; we shall confine ourselves to citing only the most celebrated. A buckle in silver gilt, bordered with gold, and elegantly decorated with coloured glass and filigree, was found at Gilton, near Sandwich.' Another (fig. 22)" from the same spot, belonging to the Rolfe Collection, was attached to a beautiful oblong plate of silver gilt, covered with delicate filigree work, and ornamented, on its external surface, with an edging of garnets, set in cloisons on gold foil. The Faversham specimens (pi. xii., figs. 4 and 6) belong to the same category.^ Fig. 4 is silver gilt, with gold filigree work. Fig. 6 is of the same metal, also gilt, and decorated with a vermicular pattern in filigree ; the base of the tongue is ornamented with garnets on gold foil. On each side of the hinge, joining the Fig. 22. Buckle fro.m Gilton, m;ar Sandwich, Klni'. plate to the buckle, is the head of a bird.' The buckle given at fig. 2, pi. xii., which is essentially a specimen of cloisonnd art, is in a metal alloy, and is covered with garnets set in silver, on a thin gold plaque. The quatrefoil cells are filled with a green enamel, which has suffered considerably from age.' Gilton, near Ash, has also furnished a buckle, of which the rectangular plate, with its border of cable-pattern filigree, clearly belongs to the art of cloisonnd!' The superiority which is generally apparent in the Gilton specimens is noticeable in the beautiful ornament (fig. 23) which we reproduce from the Invcntoriuni ' "Antiquities near Sandwich," Arcltaologia, vol. xxx., p. 135. ^ Roach Smith, Introduction to the Juventoriiim Sepukhralf, p. xxix, fig. 2. ' No. 1097, South Kensington Museum Catalogue. * Roach Smith, Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon Antiquities, Faversham. ^ This piece may be compared to the Cologne specimen figured in Collectanea Anliijua, vol. ii., pi. XXXV., fig. 13. " Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, [). 59, pi. xxix., fig. 2. BUCKLES. 93 Sepulchrale. The quadrangular plate, of bronze gilt, is covered with incised work, in the centre of which is set a garnet.' The finest of the decorated buckles is one in the collection of Mr. John Evans. This magnificent jewel, illustrated by Mr. Akerinan in 1S52,- was found at Tostock, near Ixworth, Suffolk ; the richness of its decoration consists of two large plaques of garnet, set on gold foil. In shape and detail it reseml^les the Gilton buckle." Baldrics, elaborately decorated, are often mentioned by the writers of the later Empire; amongst others we may name Apollinarls Sidonius,' Prudentius,"' Claud- ianus," Corippus,''' and St. Ambrose.^ In pi. xii. (figs. I and 3) we reproduce a special type of sword-belt buckles. Fig. 23. Buckle from Gilton, near Ash. The ring is formed of a characteristic doul^lc dragon, the two heads of which are biting the buckle-plate. In the opinion of M. Pilloy,'' these dragon-headed buckles date back to the fourth century, and belong to (iallo-Roman burial-grounds of the transition period. The objects which, in Gaul, gcmerally accompany I)uckles of this ' Inventorium Sepulchrale, Introduction, p. xxix, (11;. 3. — Arcliu-'i'logia, vol. \\x., pi. xi. — Remains of Pai^an Saxondom, pi. xxix. ^ Akerman, Remains nf Taiwan Saxondom, pi. i., fig. 9. ' Archaologia, vol. xxx., pi. ii., fig. 5. — Atrh(C(>i(\i^iea/ Index, pi. xvii., fig. 10. * T. S. Apoll. Sidon., Opera, carm. ii. and v., lib. iv., cpist x\ : " Strinxerunt clausa bullatis latcra rhenonibus." ' Prud., carm. v., In Psieomaekia •' " Fulgcntia lUillis cingula." ^ Claud., In Panegyrico Stiliconis : " Cingula lUillis aspera," and ]\in. Ilonorii : " ClL'mniato cinctu." ' Corippus, lib. ii., De Justino Imperatorc : " ]ialthcus elTuIgeiis gLMuniis." * Ambrose, lib. iv., cap. xiii., De Ilelia etjejunio : " .\urcis bullis zonani tcgunt." ^ I'illoy, Eludes stir d:Anciens Lieux de. Sepultures dans FAisne, t. ii., fasc. i., p. 47. 94 BUCKLES. character, are rt-presentative, according to M. Pilloy, of an artistic style midway between the classic Gra:co-Roman and the new importations of Northern and Eastern Barbarians.' The beauty, the workmanship, the delicacy of certain specimens, seem to favour the hypothesis of a hybrid and transitional art. The productions of this apparent combination of styles show traces of Roman art in the good taste of the general scheme ; which, however, is allied, with more or less happy effect, to rude and fantastic ornamentation representing the Barbarian element. This alliance, strange, unusual, inexplicable almost, does not harmonise with the bold self-assertion which generally characterises the dawn of a new artistic era. The most ancient productions of the epoch of the great invasions necessarily indicate, by their daring novelty and their unwonted form, the earliest burial-places of the Germanic tribes. They proclaim, in fact, the new art in its full vitality and its primordial originality. We have here the Barbarian art in all its purity, free from the degradation produced by lapse of time. Its decadence, however, must be attributed, not to any desire to modify the style, but to the incapacity of the craftsman, as is evidenced by the fanciful manner in which animal forms were rendered. A fantastic zoology was beyond the comprehension of the Barbarian artificer, in whose j^roductions it lost all its original characteristics. The goldsmith sought to copy what he had before him, without understanding in the least the idea which was conveyed by the model. It thus becomes a most interesting task to point out with what independence and disdain for tradition the art imported by the invaders imposed itself upon the conquered countries. The so-called Gra;co-Roman civilisation of the later Empire and that of the Barbarian immigrants developed side by side under distinct influences, and having but one point of contact, namely, their common country, their common starting-point, the East. These remarks, which are applicable to the whole of Europe, are justified by the appearance of Barbarian art in Great Britain ; and we do not think we have wandered too far from our subject in setting forth the reflections inspired by a comparison of Anglo-Saxon industrial art with the productions of other countries. The Barbarian graves of the Crimea have furnished a few buckles the rings of which terminate in birds' heads. Pannonia" has produced similar forms recalling the bronzes of Dorchester (pi. xii., fig. i) and Long Wittenham (pi. xii., fig. 3). The specimens from the Crimea and Pannonia are undoubtedly older than the two latter, but all are certainly Barbarian. ' M. rilloy finds a proof of this in the funeral furniture of the military grave of Verniand. — " No buckle or clasp has been found in Gallo-Roman graves which can be attributed with any certainty to the fourth or fifth centuries of our era" (L'Abbe Cochet, Le Tombcau de Childtric, p. 234). ^ \\'mw\mS\, Der Goldfund von Nagy-Szent-Afik/os, fig. 120, p. 179. Budapest, 1885. BUCKLES. 95 The points of similarity between Anglo-Saxon buckles and those of the Crimea and of Hungary connect them with the starting-point of the Barbarian invasions. Their analogy, however, with those of Nydam (Denmark) and Borgstedt (Schleswig) brings them into more direct relation with the cradle of the Angles and the Sa.xons. On this point there can be no doubt, and the archaeological kinship of these ornaments is further attested by the ethnical kinship of the peoples who wore them. A know- ledge of the antiquities of Russia familiarises us with the genesis of the vast mass of Barbarian antiquities taken as a whole ; while a special study of the extreme north of Germany is the indispensable preliminary to an acc]uaintance with the pro- ductions of the Anglo-Saxons. The buckles of Dorchester ' and Long Wittenham - Fk:. 24. HucKLi: i Ko.^i .SMrniriKLU. undoubtedly represent the most ancient Barbarian forms, preserving the original characteristics in all their purity. M. Lindenschmit has reproduced several of these dragon-headed buckles, which he assigns to Prankish art,'^ thus distinctly recognising their Barbarian character. To add an interesting detail to this series, we reproduce (fig. 24) a buckle coming from Smithfield.^ The buckle projjier forms the centre of a plate, which is of the same width as the leathern sword-belt. This specimen greatly resembles those of Worms and Alayence reproduced by Professor Lindenschmit."' ^ Ashmolean Museum at Oxford. ^ " Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Long AVitlenham, Berks," Arc/hcoloi^ia, vol. xxxviii., pi. xix., fig. 10, p. 332. ^Lindenschmit, Die Alterthi'nner, band ii., heft vi., taf. 6, fig. 6; band iv., taf. 12, tigs, i and 2. — Handbuch der Deutscheii AltcrtluDiiskunde, taf 2, tigs. 326 and 327. * Roach Smith, Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iv. ; and I^indenschuiit, Die Alterthuiiicr^ baud i., heft viii., taf. 7. * Lindenschmit, Die Altertluiiner, band i., heft vi., taf S, and heft viii., taf 8. STEELS. The use of the steel is attested by the mortuary furniture of many Anglo-Saxon graves. The tomb of a young pagan which was opened at Harnham, near Salisbury, by Mr. Akerman, contained a specimen placed beside the right arm.' Another e.xample, originally described by Mr. Roach Smith as the clasp of a purse," was found at Ozingell." The excavation in the cemetery of Chessell Down also brought to light several steels.' The specimens found at Kingston and Sibertswold have been reproduced in the Inventoriuni Sepiilchrale ; '' at the time of their discovery, however, they were described as iron objects of uncertain use. The comparative rarity of the steel is explained by the indifference with which it has been regarded by archaeologists. There is no doubt that its use was thoroughly in accord with Saxon customs, and it is constantly met with in the graves of the Franks and other Germanic nations." MM. Pilloy and Moreau, in the Department of the Aisne and the author in the Marne, have found a considerable ciuantity of steels, in many cases accompanied by flints. The latter ivre much worn by continued striking, and are covered with oxide of iron, showing that they had been in full use. In many cases we found that a simple piece of iron replaced the steel as it is represented on the coins of Burgundy, and as it has come down to our own days in the country districts, where the lucifer match has not yet completely superseded it.^ Implements for the production of fire were naturally considered to possess magical virtues. Scheffer relates that the Laplanders, who were still idolaters in the seventeenth century, used to place steels in the graves of their dead.^ According to Keysler, every iron article had power to repel spirits ; and this power was especially retained by the fire caused by striking the fiint against the steel." Saxo Grammaticus, indeed, expressly mentions the use to which it was put : Extusuvi silicibus igneni oportunum contra dccmones tutmnentuvi}^ ' Akcrnian, liemains of Pagan Saxondom, description of pi. xxxvi. — Arckceologia, vol. xxxv., pi. xi., fig- 3- ^ Inveniorium Sepulchrale, p. 93. ' Collectanea Antiqua, vol. iii., p. 16. '' Hillier, History and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight, p. t^^. ■'' Inventorium Sepiilchrale, p. 93. " ])r. Gosse, Notice des Ciineticres trouvcs en Savoie, pi. iii., fig. 3. Geneva, 1853, 8°. — Abbe Cochet, La Normandie Souterraine, 2nd edition, p. 258. — Baudot, Sepultures des Barbares de FfLpoque Alerovingienne, [)1. xix.jfigs. 4 to II. — Calandra, Z>/ Una Necropoli Ihirharica Scoperta a Testona, p. 18, pi. iii., figs. 39, 41; and 42. — Campi, Le Tombe Barbariche di Civezzano, pi. v., fig. 4. ' Pilloy, Etudes sur d'Anciens Lieux de Si:pultures dans t Aisne, p. 43, et seq. " Scliefler, Histoire de la Laponic, p. 292. ' KvyslcT, Autiqtiitates Septentrionales, p. 173. '" Saxo (Jramni., lib. viii., p. 431, Miillcr's edition. 96 BUCKETS. S long ago as 1839 Mr. Houben published, in an important work,' a plate, the curious subject of which evoked considerable attention even from those who were only neophytes in archaeological study. It represented a human skull, crowned with a wide circlet of bronze, with serrated edges. At that time it was believed that the grave from which it had been taken was that of a prince, who had been buried with his crown. This curious plate will remain a monument of the ignorance of the time. Even the Abbe Cochet was influenced by the prevailing opinion, which, it may be remarked, was shared by Oberlin,^ and spoke of the so-called crown of Douvrend.^ These errors, however, were promptly dissipated, and the circlets became once more what they had in fact always been, the simple metal hoops of wooden pails or buckets. Lindenschmit, and also the Abbe Cochet in the second edition of his Norniandie Souterraine, did much to destroy the false nomenclature adopted on the first discovery of these objects. The wooden bucket, bound with iron hoops, such as is found in Anglo-Saxon graves, is, by some English archaeologists, called a sittila.^ As we are here dealing with a fresh subject, and one which has furnished us with but scanty material, it is desirable to enumerate the si^ecimens known, before proceeding to consider the purpose for which they were used. Cambridgeshire appears to be the county in which pails are most abundant. The sixth volume of Collectanea Antiqtia contains an engraving of a specimen found at Harrington (Cambridgeshire) in a female grave (pi. xiii., fig. 9). The skeleton was accompanied by a circular fibula in bronze, a hair-j^in, a few necklace beads, and a fragment of red pottery of the Roman period."' Another bucket, of which only the iron hoops have resisted the action of time, comes from the same cemetery. ^ Philip Houben, R'dmisches Antiquarium, pi. xlviii., Xanten, 1839. ^ Museum Schcepfelini, Argentorati, 1773. ^ Abb6 Cochet, La Norniandie Souterraine, p. 310 el scq., 1854. * Neville, "Anglo-Saxon Cemetery on Linton Heath," The Archirological Journal, vol. xi., pp. 96 and 108. 5 Roach Smith, Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi., p. 158, pi. xxxi., fig. 4. 97 II 98 BUCKETS. Mr. Foster, in describing this example, points out its position to the left of the head of a man who was evidently a warrior, as was shown by the presence of a spear, umbo, and sword. ^ The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Linton Heath ' (Cambridgeshire), excavated by Mr. Neville, also contained one of these situlae (pi. xiii., fig. 2), which, like the preceding, was found to the left of a skull. In size it is one of the largest known, being thirteen centimetres high and sixteen centimetres in diameter. The wooden staves were naturally decomposed. Several other objects were found in the same grave — one large and two small cruciform fibula;, a bronze ornament in the shape of a wheel, and half the clasp of a necklace, with a hundred and forty-one beads of blue glass and amber. These ornaments are more than sufficient to prove that the grave was that of a woman. ^ In the same locality a situla, which is different in some of its details from the last- named specimen, was taken from a grave with some fibuke and a hundred and fourteen beads. This example, the staves of which had almost entirely disappeared, measured thirteen centimetres in height and the same in diameter, and was placed to the right of the head. It resembles in shape the pails of Little Wilbraham ; ^ this locality having, in fact, produced two of these utensils" (pi. xiii., figs, i and 3). The first, found like those above described, in the neighbourhood of a skull, was formed of staves hooped with bronze, and, as usual, was in a very bad state of preservation. It measured sixteen centimetres in diameter and eleven in height. The second was discovered with a skeleton, together with three fibulae and twelve necklace beads. The bronze hoops are covered with ornaments, while the handle, of the same metal, is perfectly preserved. This specimen is fourteen centimetres in diameter and eleven centimetres high." The list of examples from Cambridgeshire is completed by fig. 7, pi. xiii., which is borrowed from the Inventoriu7n Sepulchrale? Several of these vessels have also been discovered in Kent. Mr. Wright has described the example from Bourne Park, near Canterbury (pi. xiii., fig. 5). This bucket was lying at the feet of a male skeleton, the hoops still in good preservation, and occupying their proper positions. The lower hoop is thirty-six centimetres in diameter, the upper one only thirty. Mr. Wright has also examined some fragmentary ' Account of the Excavation of an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Barrington, Cambridgeshire, p. 22, grave 60, pi. vii., fig. I, 1880. ^ The Archetological fournal, vol. xi., p. 95. ' Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, pi. x.xvii., p. 54 et seq. * Neville, " Anglo-Saxon Cemetery on Linton Heath," The Archccological fournal , vol. xi., p. 96, fig. 8. ' Neville, Saxon Obsequies, pi. xvii. ' Ibidem, pp. 15 and 19. Inventorium Sepulchrale, Preface, p. xl. BUCKETS. 99 remains from two other graves in the same district, and believes them to have formed part of similar utensils ^ which have been destroyed by the action of time. Douglas, in his A^enia Britannica, has also figured a bucket found at Ash, Kent," which, however, is smaller than those above described, measuring only twenty-four centi- metres in diameter, and somewhat less in height. From Gilton, Kent, comes a very characteristic fragment, which we reproduce from the Iiiventori^aii Sepulchrale '' (fig- 25). • • ' This remnant, which is the portion of a bucket just below the handle, is very similar in ornamentation to the Envermeu bucket, which we illustrate later (p. 10 1, Fig. 25. Fragment from Gilton, Kent. fig. 26). Further, we must mention a specimen peculiarly worthy of notice as having been found intact at Gilton.'' An example of the same class has been found at Brighthampton (Oxfordshire) in the grave of a male, which contained a sword, with the pommel under the left armpit, a small spear-head near the right shoulder, a knife, a large amber bead, and, near the head, the bucket, which is of the usual form, but highly ornamented.'' Another was discovered at Long Wittenham (Berkshire) above the shoulder of a male skeleton. It is about seventeen centimetres in height." 1 TAe Archaological Journal, vol. i., p. 255, 1846. — Wright, The Ardurological Album, p. 20S. London, 1845. ^ Douglas, Ninia Bnlannica, pi. xii., fig. n. ^ Roach Smith, Introduction to the Imvnton'um Sepulchrale, p. xl. * Boys, Materials for a History of Sand^vich, p. 868. 5 " Further Researches in a Cemetery at Brighthamjiton, Oxon,'" Archccnlogia, vol. xxxviii., p. 87, i860. * Akerman, "Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Long Wittenliam," .l/t7i«;'o/('.i,'/<;, vol. xxxviii., P- 351- lOO BUCKETS. Mr. Wylie has described the specimen from Fairford, Gloucestershire (pi. xiii., fig. 8), which was placed in the grave close to the skull. It is made of oak staves, held together by three copper hoops, and is twelve centimetres in diameter and nine centimetres high.' The grave contained, in addition, a large sword and an umbo." In Wiltshire must be cited the bucket from St. Margaret's Plain, near Marl- borough. We have only a reproduction to guide us as to this specimen, for it was found impossible to preserve it. This large specimen measured thirty-six centimetres in diameter and sixty-four in height. It was formed of oak staves, with iron hoops, and was carried by a cross-piece fixed to the top. The exterior was entirely covered with a thin sheet of copper, plated with tin, on which human and animal heads were represented in repotissd work. This utensil, which contained human ashes,^ is quite different in character from those above described, and was certainly intended for a different purpose. It apparently owes its unusually large dimensions to the fact that it was destined to serve as a mortuary urn. The example discovered at Kempston, Bedfordshire, was much decayed ; the handle had disappeared, but there still remained three broken bronze hoops. It was fifteen centimetres in diameter and about seventeen high, while the wood was more than two centimetres thick.* The huge cairn explored at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, contained the metal frame- work of a bucket measuring forty-eight centimetres in diameter and thirty-two centimetres high (pi. xiii., fig. 4). The portions which have been preserved are the bronze hoop which formed the rim of the bucket, and three other iron hoops. Two large iron rings, nine centimetres in diameter, placed one on each side, were used to carry it. This situla had been placed thirty centimetres from the feet of the skeleton." The last specimen to be referred to differs in several respects from those previously described. It is entirely of bronze, and it was clearly not intended for mortuary purposes. It was found at Hexham, Northumberland, and contained several of the Anglo-Saxon coins called sceattas^ Its dimensions are thirty-three centimetres in height, thirty centimetres in diameter at the bottom, and twenty-four at the top.^ ' Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 20, pi. viii., fig. 3. ^ Akerman, Remains 0/ Pagan Saxondom, p. 55. 5 Sir Richard Colt Hoare, The History of North Wiltshire, vol. ii., p. 35. London, i8ig. ■• "Discovery of Anglo-Saxon Remains at Kempston, Bedfordshire," Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi. ^ G. W. Thomas, " On Excavations in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Sleaford in Lincolnshire,' Archieologia, vol. 1., p. 13, 1887, pi. xxv., fig. i. ^ The seeatta was the coin in most general use among the early Anglo-Saxons. ' Archieologia, vol. xxv., p. 279, 1834, pi. xxxiii., fig. i. BUCKETS. lOI The Barbarian cemeteries in other European countries have also produced situlae similar to those of Anglo-Saxon origin, many of which are of great value as affording means of comparison. We may cite in particular the bucket found at Envcrmeu, Normandy, by the Abbe Cochet ' (fig. 26), which was among the earliest discovered. It is figured below, together with the example found at Verdun " (Lorraine) (fig. 27). M. Baudot '' has described several . buckets from Charnay (Burgundy). These latter, however, are less ornate than those of England, Germany, and Normandy. "^ M. Van Robais • V. ^ lC^I h^ ?■ 1 j*i'^^!*-J? ■ ' J^~g|ir«g^ Fig. 26. Bucket from Envermeu. Fig. 27. Bucket fkom Veudux. has made known that of Miannay, near Abbeville (Somme),'^ and M. Danjou that of Rue-Saint-Pierre (Oise).'' M. Terninck has figured the frame-work of some buckets found at Noeux and Mareuil (Pas-de-Calais) ; ' while to M. Vaillant we owe the description and illustration of the specimen'* from Nesles-les-Verlincthun (Pas-de-Calais). The same department has produced a wooden bucket, with handle ^ Abb6 Cochet, La Nonnandie Souterraine, p. 270. * Li6nard, Archeologie de la Mciise, vol. ii., pi. xxxi. ' Baudot, Sepullures des Barharcs de FEpoque Mirovingh'une, p. 84. * Baudot, Mimoircs dc la Commission dis Antiquaires de la Cole-d'Or, annccs 1832-33. ^ Van Robais, Cabinet Hislorique de Picardie, 1887. ^ Danjou, Noles sur Quelques Anliquites Merovingiennes Conservees an Musee de Beatirais, pi. i., Ii Beauvais, 1856. ' Terninck, L' Artois Soulerrain, vol. ii., pi. cl. Vaillant, Le Cimetiere Franco-Merovingien de Nesles-les-Verlinclhun, pi. ii., fig. 15. Arras, 1886. I02 BUCKETS. and hoops of bronze, which was discovered at Harden thun, and a loop from another specimen, in bronze, decorated with copper and iron, found at Pincthun/ In Germany we have the buckets from Oberflacht, exclusively of wood," and those from Schiersteiner, near Wiesbaden, and from Monsheim, preserved in the Mayence Museum,^ which are provided with metal frames. In the Museum of Namur (Belgium) are situlae from Samson, Furfooz, and Spontin. Nor must we omit to mention one of these utensils discovered at Osztropataka, Hungary, and figured by M. Hampel.* This new locality is interesting, as showing how widely spread was the use of buckets among the invading nations. Worsaae gives an illustration of a bucket which he attributes to the first Iron Age ; and here again, as in the preceding case, we have a further extension of the area of the employment of pails.^ English antiquaries have addressed themselves to the task of discriminating between the various kinds of wood which were used in the manufacture of pails. The staves of the Fairford " and Marlborough ''' specimens are of oak ; those from Linton Heath and Roundway Down of yew ; while the fragments found between Sandgate and Dover are of deal.^ There has been considerable discussion as to the use to which pails were put, and the most opposite theories have been advanced. Baudot seems to have adopted the view originally expressed by Mr. Akerman, in his Remains of Pagan Saxondom, that these vessels were used to serve the beer, wine, or mead at Anglo-Saxon banquets." When his first work was published, however, Mr. Akerman did not consider that the buckets were intended to contain beverages only, and never solid food." He thought that these vessels, which had been taken from the graves of both sexes, were also used to hold soup ; believing that this view was justified by the fact that the buckets fitted with handles and metal hoops belonged to the rich, while ' LAbhc; Haignert;, Qualre Cimetieres Mcrnvingiens dii Bouhimais, pi. ix., fig. i, and pi. xvii., fig. 5. Boulogne-sur-Mcr, 1866. ^ Jahreshe/le des Wirlcnhergischen Allerlhu?HS-Vcm'tis, Drittcs Heft, pi. x., figs. 45 and 53. Stiittgard, 1846. •■' Lindcnschmit, Die Alkrthiimer Band iii., heft ii., taf. vi. ■• \\?i-m}^ii\, Dcr Goldfund von Nagy-Szeni-Miklos, idS.W. Budapest, 1885. ^ Worsaae, Noniishe Oldsager. Kjobenhaun, 1859. ° Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 20. ' R. Colt lioare, 'The History of North Wiltshire, vol. ii., p. 35. •* Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, p. 56. ^ " Cup-bearers gave The wine from wondrous vats." {Beoavttlf, line 2316-17 Kemble's edition, 1837.) ' Akerman, in fact, calls them porringers. — Translator. BUCKETS. 103 the plain wooden ones, like those from OberHacht, had, as a rule, been destroyed by time.^ Later on, in 1862, Mr. Akerman altered his opinions, and after having expressed his belief that they were intended to contain solid food, was forced to recognise that this supposition was but little in harmony with the method of their construction, which was far too fragile to admit of their application to the ordinary purposes of domestic life. Mr. Akerman then advanced the theory that their purpose was religious, and that they were intended to contain holy water" — an explanation which would have aided in determining the uses of several other objects. The Abbe Cochet also has expressed this view ; but Messrs. Roach Smith ^ and Wright ^ retained their conviction, that these utensils were destined for table use. It seems difficult to concede that all the graves containing buckets were those of Christians, for in many cases the rest of the mortuary furniture belongs clearly to pagan tombs. Fresh discoveries in the future, however, will no doubt enable archaeologists to arrive at a definite conclusion as to the purpose of these vessels. 1 Akerman, Remains of Pagan Saxondom, p. 56. ' Akerman, " Researches in an Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Long Wittcnham," Anlucologia, vol. .xxxviii. (1862), p. 336. ^ Introduction to the Inventorium Sepulchrale. ^ Archaeological Album, p. 208. GLASS VASES. N all civilisations the art of glass-making holds an important place. The large number of glass vessels found in Anglo-Saxon cemeteries gives them an interest which necessitates some mention of them in these archaeological notes. We also devote two plates (Nos. xiv. and XV.) to these productions. Mr. James Fowler has made a special study of the general aspects of glass- making ; but his views are especially interesting in their relation to Anglo-Saxon glass.' In his opinion, a great part of the glassware of the ancient Teutons shows traces of a distinctly Roman influence. A very large quantity of Roman glass has been found in Great Britain ; and so remarkable is it in workmanship, that there can be no hesitation in proclaiming it to be of Roman origin. The Barbarian nations who followed copied the already known processes as accurately as possible. In the British Museum and in other collections are to be found numerous specimens of the earliest Anglo-Saxon glass, which are almost identical, both in appearance and in material, with those of Roman origin ; in form and decoration, however, they are absolutely unlike. There is little difference between the glass of the Merovingians and that of the Anglo-Saxons. On the other hand, the glass from Selzen (Germany), preserved in the British Museum, is of very inferior material to that used by the Anglo-Saxons ; it is less transparent, and of a coarser texture than the Roman specimens. Contemporary writers were struck, like ourselves, with this difference. Thus Isidore of Seville (570 to 636), when recording that the manufactories of Gaul and Spain had put out their fires, declares that their products were of superior quality.^ Mr. Wylie asserts that, though the art of working in glass may have been known to the Saxons, it had been abandoned, and even forgotten, before the period at which Bede wrote his Annals.^ This historian certainly shows us that glass 1 James Fowler, "On the Process of Decay in Glass, and Incidentally, on the Composition and Texture of Glass at Different Periods, and the History of its Manufacture," Archaologia, vol. .\lvi., p. 89, 1880. * "Olim fiebat et in Italia et per Gallias et Hispaniam .... vilrum purum et candidum," {Etyino- iogiarum, xvi., 15). ^ Wylie, Fairford Graves, p. 17. 104 GLASS \'.\SES. 105 making was unknown in I'Lngland in 6S0, whi^n Si. InMudict wa:. Alihoi of WearmoLith and Jarrow. ' INIr. Fowler, in his admiration of the jjerfecl hmijitUty of the glass found in Anglo-Saxon tombs, considers it worthy of comparison with that of the Aral) lamps. Among objects of about the same period, he cites the sar/v cati)io of Cienoa, which' owing to its brilliancy and transparency, was for centuries thought to be an emerald. For the same reason the cup of Theodolind at Monza was long regarded as a sapphire. The treasures of many old churches contain cups and basins of the same kind.- It is probable that the use of glass was very widespread with the Anglo-Saxons : indeed, it cannot be supposed that a people who had become ac([uaintcd with the luxury of Rome should be sparing in thc;ir use of glass v^essels.'' In thi; later clays of the Empire glass became extremely common ; so much so tliat the linqieror Gallienus forbad its use at his table.' The glass vases taken from Anglo-Saxon graves are, thinks Mr. Roach Smith, the most interesting and the most remarkable productions of Anglo-Saxon an. They show wonderful progress in the direction of delicate workmanship. Tht; perfection of Roman glass is universally acknowledged ; and it is clcir that the Saxons and the Franks must have learnt from the Romans something of this art, which they practised with so much elegance and good taste. Vet it would be going too far to say that these two peoples of Ciermanic origin had lun ih(;mst-l\cs made discoveries in this direction. 'J'here is a great analogy in form and malc'rial between the vases of the Anglo-Saxons and those of Ciermany and l'"rance, and it is plain that at one period glass was manufactured in all these countrit:s. It must be remembered, however, that, according to IJede, glass-work(;rs were summoneil from France to Great Britain in the seventh century, because the art ol working in glass was then unknown in that country. Certain easily recognised peculiarities distinguish the glass-work ol the Anglo- Saxons from that of the Romans. One of the most characteristic features of tin- former is the thread or band in relief affixed to the outer surlace. These: threads are often in wavy spirals ; in which fact we have, no doubt, an explanation of the 1 " Misit legatorios Galliam, qui vitri factorcs, artifices viilclicct Hrilanni^ citciius inri]L;iiiio>, ail canccllandas ucclesias, porticuumque el caenaciiloruni ejus fonrstras, .uKliu cnni. l'',ictunii|Uf r--t. c 1 vencrunt. Nee solum i)ostulatuin opus compleverunt, sccl el Angloruni ex co gciUcin iiujusiu'idi ariiliciuin nosse ac diseere fecerunt." * Fowler, p. 99. ^ Akerman, Rt-mains 0/ Pagan Sa.xoiido/n, description of pi. ii. ■• " Bibit in aureis semper poculis ; aspernatus vitniiii, diceiis nil esse eo connniniius" (rollid Trebellius, In Gallieno). 14 io6 GLASS VASES. word ^uis/cd, applied in the oldest Saxon [)oem to vessels of this character used at a bancjLiet.' One characteristic ol these vases is their rounded or [lointed base, as in the Roman futile. When these spherical cups were hlled they could only be held comfortably in the hollow of the hand. Glasses of this nature were used at gfreat banquets, and on more ordinary occasions. They were, in fact, goblets which had to be emi)tied before tliey could be .set down on the table.' Mr. Roach Smith and Mr. Wright are practically agreed as to the fict that Anglo-.Saxon glass differs from Roman in being lighter and ol inferior texture. It is also more subject to the decay which destroys its transparence, and produces iridescent tints. These differences, however, betw(jen the Roman and the Barbarian productions must not be taken to throw any doubt on the skill of the Anglo-Saxon glass-workers, who impressed a distinctive character on their handiwork by the addition of ornamentation in the form of twisted threads of glass.'' Mr. Akerman, referring to some of these vessels discovered in a cemetery at Cuddesden, Oxfordshire (pi xiv., fig. 4), says that this st\le of decoration contributed in some degree to strengthen the gla.ss.'' These wavy bands were affixed to the vase whilst almost in a state of fusion. Anglo-Saxon vases are generally without feet, and are considered by archaeologists to be drinking vessels. They have been called tiDiiblers, because they could not stand upright, and this name has been extended to all vessels used tor drinking purposes.' The use oi a form of drinking vessel which would not stand has been considered a sufficient reason for attributing drinking habits to the Anglo-Saxons." We will only remark that vessels of a similar character, made of very thin glass, have also been found in Continental Europe ; '' so that the accusation brought against the Anglo- Saxons must be extended to the other Barbarian nations. ' "The tfiane observed liis office He that in liis liand bare The twistetl ale-cup." {Ihowulf, line 983.) - Roach Smith, Introduction lo ihc Jnvinloniiiii Sijiidchjah-. Description of ])ls. xviii. and xix. — It i> said that this is the origin of the proverb, " When the wine is poured out it must be drunk." ■^ Wright, 'I'll, Cell, the Roman, and I he Sa.\<>ii, ];. 495. ■' Akerman, Ri mains of Pat^an Saxomloiii, p. 11. " Those who take an interest in classical antitinity will be accjuainted with the Greek drinking vessels bearing the inscription, I'POPINK :\1H K.\T(-)Hi:i iDriiik, and do not put down thy glass). See the Durand Catalogue, p. 295. — I'anofka, Reilitirhts sur lis \onis dons, at (Buckinghamshire) is very similar. We reproduce in pi. xv., fig. 2, horn-shaped specimt-n found at Kempston (Pn'dfordshire). ' In addition, Mr. has described two other vases' of this characler, which indeed are louiul siderable numbers both in England and in the other countries occui)ied Barbarians."' ' The Dinton' another Wright in con- bv the ' The Anhicological JournaJ , i 854, \-ol. xi., p. 109. 2 Douglas, Kciiia Bhiannica, pi. xvi., fi,t(. 5. — Aixlurnhii^iial Imhx, pi. xiv., ligs. 13, mil ^ Collectanea Antiqua, vol. vi., ]il. xwix. ■' Wright, The Cell, Ihe Roman, and Ihc Sii.von, p. 495. ^ Graves of Epravc (Belgium), Namur Museum. — !•'. bureau's Collcciicn. 14. loS GLASS VASES. Another group consists of Hcmi-sphcrical vases (pi. xiv., fig. 6, and pi. \v., fig. 5). The first of t!ics(% an illustration of which is given by Douglas, corners from Chatham, Kent.' The second, olive-green in tint, comes from Kingston Down (Kent), and was taken intact fi-om the grave of a woman.- Similar specimens form j),irt of th(! .\nglo-.Sa\on remains tliscov(;red at Deshorough (.\'Orthamptonshire)' and Sihertswold (Kent).' Douglas has figured, in lYiiiia /iri/ainiica, a considerable number of glass \ases taken from th<; Anglo-.Saxon c(uneteri(;s in Ki^nt (pi. xiv., figs. 3 and 6). He calls attention to the fict that they an; generally confined to those graves in which fc;mak; ornaments are found.' Among the longer vases several are worthy of mention : that from Gilton, near Sandwich, for instance, is remarkable for a long neck, round which winds a spiral thread ending in a band of glass, which forms a sort of collar. I'Vom this point perpendicular bands, with indented ornamentation, d(;scend to the rounded base, where they unite. This specimen, which is olive-green in colour and very transparent, holds about a pint." A very sim[)le example (fig. 28) was found at P'aversham, Kent, and is now in the South Kensington Museum.' It is about twenty-five centimetres long, and ten in diameter. We have now to mention a very characteristic form, which belongs properly to the b'rankish c(;meteries, but which nevertheless is found in Kent. A vase dis- covered at Woodensborough, near Sandwich, illustrated in pi. xiv., fig. i, belongs to this category. It is formed of brownish glass, of the shade known as fciiillc niorlc, is very graceful in outline, and is so light that its weight is scarcely appreciable in the hand. Its decoration consists of threads of glass encircling the mouth, while below it ends in a knob, which, solely owing to its thickness, is quite opaque. This specimen was discovered as long ago as the end of the last century. Thirty Anglo-Saxon vases from the same locality were preserved at a farm-house in the neighbourhood, and w(;re always brought out to celebrate the har\'est-home."* thus reverting, after many centuric;s, to their original use." ' Douglas, A'liiia Ihilannica, \)\. iv., fig. 5. - I'aussitt, In: inli'iiiiin Scpuhliralc, ])1. xviii., fig. 5, ami p. 20. ■' " .\nglo-Saxoii Discoveries at Desborougii, Northamptonshire," /];r//i,'/. 4.69. '' l-'ausscU, Invailoyiitm Sefndchrak, pi. xix. '"' Douglas, Ntiiia Ihilannica. Vessel of glass, ]>. 114. '■ .Xkerman, Rnnains of I'oi^an Saxomlom, pi. xviii., lig. 2, and p. 34. ' Roach .Smith, Catahgiic of Anglo-Saxon and other An/ic/iiitks Disan\-rcd at Jurccrshani in Kent. InUoduetion, p. xix. Catalogue, p. 19. ■^ .Akernian, Remains of J\igan Saxondoni, pi. \\ii., p. 33. '■' Inrenti'fiiim Sfiiie/iraie, I'reface, deseii[)lion of pis. xviii. and xix. GLASS X'ASES. 109 The vases with hollow [jrotul^erances or claws found in Anglo-Saxon graves form a highly interesting series. 'I"h(;y are sufficiently im|)ortant to re(iuire dealing with in considerable detail. In pi. xiv., tig. 5, and pi. x\-., figs, i, 2, 4 and 6, we have illustrated the l)est known of these remarkalile productions so numerous in England. The discovery of a vase of this class, accompanying human remains, was communicated to the Gciitlcniaii i A/aoa:iuc in 1776. The gra\-e contained, in addition, a sword, a spear, and a piece of pottery, and was at that time (-rroneousK- attributed to the Britons. A little later, in 1802, a similar specimen was found at Castle Eden, Durham, also in a grave,' and the same mistake was matle as to its Rrci'i.vER Selzf.n Faikiokd Dolvkknu (Kent). (Gehmanv). (Grout esteksmire). (Fhance). Fig. 29. Cl.XSS VasIS from FN(.LANr>, 1'haNCE and CiFRMAW. origin.- The first glass of this character which was attributed to the .Anglo-Saxons is that which is now to be seen in the Canterbury Museum. It was found at Reculver (pi. xv., fig. 6), and was first brought into notice by Mr. Roach Smith." Its Saxon origin is clearly shown by its resemblance to the vase from the cemetery of Selzen.^ The Abbe Cochet also exhumed a specimen of the same class at Douvrend, in Normandy.' These successive discoveries in I'^ngland, France and Germany have given us contemporaneous vases belonging to this strongly marked type. In the cut which we annex (fig. 29) the examples discovered in these different countries are placed side by side for pur[)Oses of comparison. ' Archceohh^ia, vol. xv., pi. xx.xvii., fig. i. ' .Vkcrman, Remains of Pagan Saxondoui, dcscriptiim of pi. \i. ^ Collectanea Anticjua, vol. ii., jil. 11., lig. ,3. — Remains 0/ I'ai^iin Sa.\i>i:doin, pi. ii. '' Lindenschmit, Vas Gcrmanisclie Todtcnlager l>ei Selvn, y. (1, .Main/, 1848. •' Abbe Cochet, /.a A'urmandie Scu/erraine, pi. x., fig. 1, 1854.— -/a Seine Injeneure, \i. 307 no GLASS VASES. The specimen in pi. xv., f\g. 4, is very similar to the Douvrend piece ; it was found at I*"airford, and is figured by \\yh'(;, the explorer of that cemetery." This remarkable vase, yellowish in colour and very singular in form, was lying near the skull ; it was unfortunatel)' broken when ioLuid, antl there is r(.'ason to think that it had been ])laced in the grave in that condition. While glass vessels are fref|uently met with in Anglo-.Saxon graves, specimens of the type at present imder discussion are comparatively rare. This rarity has been the cause of an error on the part of Mr. Apsley Pellatt, who, deceived by their resemblance to certain productions of Southern Italv, assio-ned to them a verv much earlier date.'"' I. y O J The Iviirford vase and its congeners seem to answer to the description in barbarous Latin : Vifrea vascnla analyplia fusilitate ccvla/aS' All these vases are amber, yellow or olive green in colour; they usually have two rows of protuberances, and are encircled on the surface by numerous threads. 'Ihe specimen found, with a skeleton and some weapons, at Ashford, Kent (pi. xiv., fig. 5), is justly considered the finest of the series; ' it is in colour olive-green, and is s[)ecially noticeable as having three rows of protuberances. We may also cite the vase from Taplow, Buckinghamshire (pi. xv., fig. i), in which the claws are decorated throughout their length with twisted glass ; a style of ornamentation which is also found in the vases of I'^airford and Douvrend. Two other examples have been noted by i\Ir. Wright, one coming from a Saxon tomb in Hampshire, the other from Coombe, in East Kent.'' The specimens from Selzen, Germany, and Douvrend, bVance, are not the only vases of this character which have been found on the Continent. It is impossible to enumerate the whole of them, but we may quote tho.se in the Museum of Namur, Belgium. In one of these, which comes from Lprave," the claws are covered with greenish threads of twisted glass. Amongst the Frankish antiquities discovered at Marmignies, Belgium, the Baron de Loci mentions a glass d(;corated with large claws.' In I'^rance, the collection of M. Jumel, of Amiens, contains one of the vases found at 1 lermes (Oise) by the Abbe llamard. M. Pilloy collected a number of ' W'^Vw, J''/i!n, description of pi. ii. POTTI^R Y. ERAMIC art occupies an imporlant [jlace in the Barbarian cemeteries of Mngland, owing to the abundance and the variety of its pro- ductions. In Kentish pottery, in particular, there is a striking resemblance to Continental types. We have collected in pi. xvi. some specimens from Kingston Down, Gilton, Chessell Down, Breach Down, and Faversham, which have a great analogy with the types charac- teristic of r^rankish graves. This similarity in mortuary furniture is noticeable not only in ceramic products, but also, as we have already pointed out, in glassware and jewellery. The relationship existing between the art-industries of Kent and the Isle of Wight, and those of Central Europe in general, and the P'rankish cemeteries in particular, is still further emphasized by their potteries. The Faversham vase' (pi. xvi., fig. 6) and that of Chessell Down " (pi. xvi., fig. 4) are met with almost in replica in several Barbarian cemeteries of b~ ranee and Germany. The circular cords or threads in relief, which often form the only decoration of Frankish pottery, are exactly reproduced in the Breach Down ^ specimen (pi. xvi., hg. 5). The difference between the pottery found in the graves of Kent and that coming from other parts of England is sufficiently marked to lead Mr. Wright to the conclusion that the Kent vases belong rather to Roman art.' He is further of opinion that pottery of Saxon manufacture is .solely represented by the urns from those cemeteries where cremation was in use.' The distinctive characteristics of the Kentish vessels show very plainly the effect of foreign influence. If mortuary urns containing bones alone represent Saxon ceramic art in England, how is it that we find none of them in Kent, when it is ^ South Kensington Museum. - British Museum. ' An/hi o!o^i;ia, vol. xx.x., pi. i. ■' Must we not rather admit a Continental influence arising from the intercourse between the I'Vanks and the inhabitants of Kent? 'I'he same influence is visible in their glassware and certain kinds of ornaments. ' Wright, The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon, p. 492. 112 POTTERY. I I 3 admitted that the Saxons were established in that county long before the arrival of the Angles in the East and the Midlands ? The length of time which elapsed between the colonisation of Kent and that of the Midlands is sufficient to account for the differences which exist in the ceramic products of the respective districts. In discussing the origin of these mortuary urns Mr. Roach Smith suggests that they may possibly be attributed to the later Romano-British tribes.' This hypothesis, however, has little in its favour, for there is no similarity between the Roman and the Saxon urns. The latter, on the contrary, resemble much more closely those of the North of Germany, in those regions which formed the starting-point of the invaders of Great Britain. The Inventoriuni Seprdchralc does not contain any representation of wide- mouthed urns intended to contain ashes. From this fact Mr. Roach Smith concludes that the burial grounds of Kent explored by Mr. Faussett belong to a period subse- quent to the age of burning.- We reproduce (pi. xvi., figs, i, 2, and 3) three vases found by Faussett, together with their decoration, enlarged to the natural size. The first and third of these are from Kingston Down,^ the second from Gilton.' All the Kent vases, especially those of bottle shape, are much alike, but they differ very widely from the pottery found in other parts of England. Their points of resem- blance and their characteristic local differences are alike easily recognisable.^ Northern Germany, Schleswig, and Denmark have produced mortuary urns similar to those of the Anglo-Saxons. The pottery from Kent and the south coast of England, on the other hand, finds its counterpart in the Merovingian cemeteries of the Rhenish provinces and France. The graves of Haslingfield, Cambridgeshire, contain certain types (pi. xvii., figs. 3, 6, and 9) which are transitional between the pottery of Kent and the urns coming from other parts of England. This transition is shown in the gradation which commences with fig. 9, in which the Southern influence manifests itself very clearly ; in fig. 6 the type is beginning to free itself from that influence, while fig. 3, with its protuberances and its decoration, approaches very nearly to the urns of Little Wilbraham. In examining the numerous urns discovered near Derby (fig. 30), at Nottingham, in Bedfordshire (pi. xvii., figs. 4 and 8), Norfolk, Cambridgeshire (pi. xvii., figs. 2, 3, 6 and 9), and Yorkshire, we cannot but be struck by their great ^ Roach Smith, Introduction to tlie Iircattorium Sepukhrak, p. xiv. et sevonzc, gilt. Chatham (Kent). (Ashmolean Museum.) 7. — Bronze. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) PL. in lieBavf dd I ny, J liv/'^nirn! 1 PLATE IV. BIKU-SHAPEU IIBULA;, HAIRPLN', b-bllAPED rilJUt.'IC. 1. — Bronze. Fairford (Gloucestershire). 2. — Bronze, gilt. Barrington (Cambridgeshire). 3. — Bronze, gilt, with a Garnet. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight). (British Museum.) 4. — Bronze, gilt. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight). (British Museum.) 5. — Silver, set with Garnets. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) 6. — Bronze. Sleaford (Lincolnshire). (British Museum.) 7. — I laslingfield (Cambridgeshire). (Evans Collection.) 8. — Bronze, set with Garnets. Iffley (Oxon). (British Museum.) 9. — Bronze. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight.) (British Museum.) PL.1\' J. de Bay? del. Imp J LaJle?>ient ARousspI; PLATE V. CRUCIFORM FIBULiE. 1. — Bronze. Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire). 2. — Bronze. Barrington (Cambridgeshire). 3. — Bronze. Little Wilbraham (Camliricigeshire). 4. — Bronze. Ilaslingfield (Cambridgeshire). (Evans Collection.) 5. — Bronze. Sporle (Norfolk). (Norwich Museum.) PL.V' Imjp J /.fj/'it\.'''r'if PLATE VI. CRUCIFORM AND SQUARE-HEADED FIBUL/E. 1. — Bronze, gilt. Slcaford (lJncoln.shirc). (British Museum.) 2. — Bronze, parcel gilt. Slcaford (Lincolnshire). (British Museum.) 3.— Kenninghall (Norfolk). (British Museum.) PL \l Imp. J Lallemrnt PLATE VII. SQUARE-HEADKD FIBULAE. 1. — Bronze, gilt. Haslingfield (Cambridgeshire). (Evans Collection.) 2.- — Bronze, gilt. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight). (British Museum.) 3. — Barrington (Cambridgeshire). 4. — Bronze, parcel gilt. Little Wilbrahani (Cambridgeshire). 5. — Bronze, gilt. Barrington (Cambridgeshire). (Conybeare Collection.) 6. — Bronze, gilt, set with Garnets. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight). (British Museum.) PL. VII rzD'i I .'^v. /Za^l PLATE VIII. SAUCER-SHAPED FIBUL/F.. 1. — Bronze, gilt, set with one Garnet. Wheatley (Oxon). (Ashmolean Museum.) 2. — Bronze, parcel gilt. Stone (Buckinghamshire). (British Museum.) 3. — Bronze, gilt. I'airfoi-d (Gloucestershire). (Ashmolean Museum.) 4. — Brighlhampton (Oxon). (Ashmolean Museum.) 5. — Bronze, gilt. Remenham (Berksliire). (British Museum.) Pi.vin 2 A 2 B 3A 5a . d^ t a^/p ae fn ,p . J £aJk "irn t A tl;n.. PLATE IX. ANNULAR FIBULA.. 1. — Bronze. Rugby (Warwickshire). 2.— Bronze. Stow Heath (Suffolk). 3. — White Metal. Fairford (Gloucestershire). 4. — White Metal. Fairford (Gloucestershire.) 5. — Silver, Gold, Garnets and hxny. Between Bosworth (Leicestershire) and Welford (Nortliamptonshire). 6. — Bronze. Rugby (Warwickshire). 7. — Bronze, with Remains of Iron. Little Wilbrahani (Canihridgeshiri'). 8. — Gold, set with Garnets. Stamford (Lincolnshire). 9. — Bronze. Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire). PL. IX J -!» R aye asi /•)V^ J. La.Uevi'-'nt PLATE X. KENTISH CIRCULAl't FIBUL.E. 1, — Sibcrtswokl. 2.^I'"aussctt Collection. 3.— Gilton. 4, — Chartham Down. 5. — Wingham. 6. — Chatliani. 7. — Favcrsham. 8.— Ash. 9. — Favcrsham. PLX .:i^ TT J. dp 3 a Jlnp J.lnUemf^Tt ^ :!c.u--.o. PLATE XI. GIRDLE HANGERS. 1.— Stowe Ilcath (Suflblk). 2. — Searby (Cambridgeshire). 3. — Little Wilbrahani (Canibritlgcshirc). PLXI I de B aye a.ei TVnp J.ZaJZrv^cni A Housselin PLATE XII. BIXKLFS. 1. — Bronze. Dorchester (Oxon). (Ashmolean Museum.) 2. — White metal, ornamented with Garnets and Green Enamel. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) 3. — Bronze. Long Wittenham (Berkshire). 4. — Silver-gilt. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) 5. — Bronze. Chatham (Kent). (Ashmolean Museum.) 6. — Silver-gilt, set with Garnets. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) 7. — Bronze. Chatham (Kent). (Ashmolean Museum.) 8. — Bronze. Chessell Down (Isle of Wight). (British Museum.) 9. — Bronze. Faversham (Kent). (South Kensington Museum.) PL.xn Vr^-^->-^'^ _- .. H ( \' t:k 1 .^~ _^_,^^. I f "'V ^' —■* m •-- X >^ 1 ,J (ie E-cive del /"'/■ / LaJlemfTit A !i; PLATE XIII. SITUI.^, OR RUCKETS. 1. -Little Wilhraham (Cambridgeshire). 2. — Linton Heath (Cambridgeshire). 3. — Little Wilbraham (Cambridgeshire). 4. — Sleaford (Lincolnshire). 5. — Bourne Park (Kent). 6.— Ash (Kent). 7. — . . . (Cambridgeshire). 8. — Fairford (Gloucestershire). 9. — Barrington (Cambridgeshire.) PLJ<1I1 J, de Baje iel. Imi: J ft.'Jf nirnr A Houssdii PLATE XIV. GLASS VASKS. 1. — Woodensborough (Kent). 2.-— Linton Heath (Cambridgeshire). 3. — Kingston Down (Kent). 4. — Cuddesden (Oxon). 5.— Ashford (Kent). 6. — Chatham (Kent). PL. XIV ^3 K A J. ie Baye del Imp. J. Lalletnfrit- PLATE XV. GLASS VASrS. 1. — Taplow (Buckinghamshire). 2. — Kempston (Bedfordshire). 3.— Gilton (Kent). 4. — Fairford (Gloucestershire\ 5. — Kingston Down (Kent). 6. — Reculver (Kent). PL XV I J. de Baye del- l-^.vJl:l A Housseli PLATE XVI. POTTKRV. 1. — Kingston Down (Kent). 2.— Gilton (Kent). 3. — Kingston Down (Kent). 4.— Cliessell Down (Isle of Wight). 5. — Breach Down (Kent). 6. — Faversham (Kent). TL.XVI c o C' /-> ^ 'ii- •:! . Or,.. -/>^ 0^-^Gi2oJ ^^'-'X^'^''^#-^^4' J deBaye iel yj^--^ Lai^lf infill AH.in.iK^f'hv! PL A IE XVII. I'OriERV. 1, — SIcaforcl (Lincolnshire). 2. Little Wilbrahani (Canibriclgcshirc). 3. — Maslingfield (Cambridgeshire). 4. — Kempston (Bedfordshire). 5.— Sleaford (Lincolnshire). 6. — Haslingfield (Canibritlgcshire). 7. — Kempston (Bedfoixishire). 8. — Kempston (Bedfordshire). 9. — I laslingfield (Cambridgeshire). PI xvn I. de Eaye del Imp J LoJUm-!,t AHousselni :-..- APPENDIX I. AUTHORITIES REFERRED TO IN THIS VOLUME. England. Akeniian, Yonge, liciiiains of Pagan Saxondvin. Lon- don, 1853. Allen, Grant, Anglo-Saxon Britain. Antiquaries., Proceedings of the Society of. ArchcEologia. ArcluEologia Cantiana. Archceological Album. Index. ■ Institute, Journal of the. Journal. Bede, Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Angloruni. Beowulf. British Archceological Association, Journal of the. Browne, T., Hydriotaphia. 1658. Douglas, Nenia Britannica. Faussett, Rev. Bryan, Inventorium Sepulchrale. Foster, W. K., Account of the Excavation of an Anglo- Saxon Cemetery at Barrington. Cambridge, 1883. Hillier, History and Antiquities of the Isle of Wight. Historical Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, Trans- actions of. Hoare, Sir R. C, History of North Wiltshire. Lettres Philosophiques et Politiques sur rilistoire d' Angleterre. London and Paris, 1786. Neville, Saxon Obsequies. Palgrave, Sir F., History of the Anglo-Saxons. Roach Smith, C., Catalogue of Anglo-Saxon and other Antiquities Discovered at Faversham. London, 1873- Collectanea Antiqua. Preface to the Inventorium Sepulchrale. Thorpe, Ancient Laws and Institutions of England. Codex Exonicnsis. AVright, T., The Celt, the Roman, and the Saxon. Wylie, Fairford Graves. Oxford, 1852. France and Belgium. Annates de la Societe Archcologique de Namur. Baudot, Memoires de la Commission des Antiquaires de la Cote-d'Or. Baudot, Sipultuns dcs Barharcs di l'Epi>qui Mtrovut- gicnne. Becquet, Fouilhs in 1883 /();>■(' (/'//a/^t-. Paris, i860. Calandra, Di Una Necropoli Scoperlaa Teslona. Turin. Campi, Le Tombe Barbariche di Civezzano. de Baye, Baron, Industrie Longobarde . Houben, P., Romisches Antiquarium. Muratori, Dissertations. SwiTZERLAXn AXD SAVOY. Gosse, Dr., Memoires ct Documents Publics par la Socle te d' Llisloire el d' Archeologie de Geneve. Notice des Ci/tidleres Irouve's en Savoie. Geneva, Reeuell d'A ntlquites Sulsses. IIuxciARV. Ilampcl, Der Goldfund von Nagy-Szenl-Mlklos. Lipp, W., Die Grdberfelder von Kcszthely. Proceedings of the Congress of Buda-Pisth. TiiK Gorus AXD IIuxs. (le iSaye, Barun J., Ai.r Bijnu.x Uothliuis de Kerleh. (JefTroy, A., Rome el les Barbares. Paris, 1874. Graberg of Hemso, Jacques, Doutes et Conjectures sur les Huns du Nord. Florence, 18 10. Grotius, Hugo, Historla Gothorum. Henslmann, Etude de F Art Gothique. Lazius, Uvolfgangus, De Aliquot Gentium Migration!- bus. Basle, 1572. IMacpherson, D., Antiquities of Kerleh. Magnus, lo, Gothorum Sueonumque Historla. Odobesco, Anliquiles Scythlqiies. Orosius, Paulus, Adverstcs Paganos Historla. Pinkerton, Dissertation on the Origin and Progress of the Scythians and Goths. Pretorius, Matthajus, Orbls Golhlcus. Procopius, De Bella Gothlco. Thierry, Am., Alarlc. General. Agathias Ambrose, De Hclla et fejunio. Claudianus, Eplgrammalon de Crystallo. /;/ Panegyrlco Stlllconls. j Corippus, De fusllno Lmperatore. De Laudlbus fustlnl Mlnorls. d'Anville, Etals formes en Europe aprcs la Chute de \ r Empire Romam. de Lasteyrie, Z'O/yc'ivw/V. Paris, 1877. de Rluralt, E., Essal de Chronographle Byzantine. St j Petersburg, 1855. des jNIichels, Precis de f Hisloire du Moyen Age. Paris, 1846. Dezobry et Bachelet, Dlcllonnalre de Biographic et d'Hlslolre. Paris, 1869. Didot, Dlcllonnalre de Geographic Anclenne. Ducange, Glossarlum. Freeman, The Historical Geography of Europe. Lon- don, 1881. Isidore de Seville, Etymologla. Keysler, Antlqultales Seplentrlonales. Malte-Brun, Geographic Unlvcrselle. JMartign}-, I'Abbe, Dlcllonnalre des Anliquiles Chre- tlemies. Miintz, Etudes Iconographlques ct Archeologlques. Paris, 1887. Pachymeres. Pliny, A'atural History. Prudentius, In Pslcomachla. Sidonius, ApoUinaris, Eplstokc. Spartianus, In Hadrlano. Suidas. Trebellius, Pollio, In Galllenn. In Regllllano. Vopiscus, In Carina. APPENDIX II TABLE OF CEMETERIES. England. Bedfordshire — Kempston. Berkshire — Abingdon. Reading. Long Wittenham. Buckinghamshire — Ashendon. Dinton. Mentmore. Taplow. Cambridgeshire — Haslingfield. Linton Heath. Little ■\Vilbraham. Soham. Durham — Castle Eden. Essex — Colchester. Gloucestershire — Chavenage. Fairford. Isle of Wight— Chcssell Down. Ke)it — Ash. Ashford. Barfriston Down. Bourne Park. Breach Down. Canterbury. Kent {continued) — Cavoran. Chartham Down. Chatham. Coombe. I-'aversham. Folkestone Mill. Gilton. Harrietsham. Heppington. Kingston Down. Ozingell. Richborough. Sandgate. Sandwich. Sarre. Sibertswold. Sittingbournc. AVingham. Woodensborough. Leicestershire — Billesdon. Husband's Bosworth. Roth ley Temple. Lincolnshire — Scaleby. Searby. Sleaford. Stamford. Norfolk-- Kcnninghall. Sporle. Walsingham. 129 Northa niptonshire — Barrow Furlong. Desborough. Norton. Wei ford. Northundhrland — Hexham. Oxfordshire — ■ Brighthampton. Cuddesdon. Dorchester. Iffley. Islip. Suffolk— Eye. Icklington. Little Bealings. Stowe Heath. 'I'ostock. Surrey — I'arthing Down. Sussex — Lancing. Lewes. U'ani Sens (Pas-de-Calais), 83. Sens Cathedral, the treasure of, 87. Sexaudrus, the, 28. Shells, beads made of, 78. Shield, the, of Beowulf, 32 ; with pointed umbo, 33- Shieldwrights, the, of Winchester, 34. Sibertswold (Kent), 21, 28, 34, 35, 66, 78, 85, 96, 108. Sidonius, Apollinaris, 24, 26, 34, 88, 93. Sinzheim (Germany), 18, 74. Sittingbourne (Kent), 34, 70. Situte. See Buckets. Sleaford (Lincoln), 43, 48, 49, 61, 75, 84, 86, 100. Smith, Roach, 12, 21, 26, 27, 30, 39, 41,48, 63 ef sei/., 70, 74 etseq., 80, 85, 89 et seq., 96, 105, T09, 113, 115- Smithfield, 95. Soden Smith, 88. Soham (Cambs.), 75. South Kensington Museum, 20, 46, 68, 108. Spartianus, 62. Spatha, the, 15. Spear, the, 20; the Anglo-Saxon national weapon, 21 ; dimensions of, 22. Spontin (Belgium), 83, 102. Sporle (Norfolk), 36, 48, 54, 75. Stade-on-the-Elbe (Germany), 116, 117. Stamford (Lincoln), 61, 84. Steels, used by the Laplanders, 96. Stilicho, 30. Stockholm Museum, 46. Stowe Heath (Suffolk), 48, 60, 75. Strood (Kent), 26. Suidas, 25. Svanskog (Sweden), 46. Swastika, the, 49. Sword, the, rarity of, 13, 18 ; a mark of rank, 14 ; dimensions of, 16; of Beowulf, i8. T-SHAPED ornament, 55, 56. 'i'acitus, 4, 7, 16, 33, 78. Talismans, beads used as, 77 ; steels used as, 96. Taper-axe, the, 30. 'I'aplow (Bucks), 110. Terninck, .NL, loi. Testona (Lombardy). 20, 23, 31. Thames, the, 28. Theodolind, capitularies of, 105. Theodore, Archbishop of Canterbury, 124. Thomas, G. W., 75. Tostock (Suffolk), 93. Tournay (Belgium), 6S. Towneley Collection, the, 117. Trebellius, PoUio, 62, 76. Tumblers, 106. Tumuli, form of Anglo-Saxon, 121. Tunjuoises used in cloisonne, 72. Ulfcvtkl, 13. Ultragotha, 65. Umbones, pointed, 2,3- Urns, mortuary, containing combs. 88 ; resemblance to those of Northern Europe, 1 13. VaILLAN'T, ioi. Van Robais, loi. Verdun (Lorraine), lor. Vicq (Seine-et-Oise), 83. Vieux (Calvados), 64. Vopiscus, 62. Walfric, 14. Walsingham (Norfolk), 88. Welford (Northants), 60. Widukind, 27. Wiesbaden Museum, 26, 80. Wingham (Kent), 66, 86. Wittislingen (Germany), 73. Wolpe (Germany), 117. Wood, Humphrey, collection of, 20. Woodensborough (Kent), 108. ^Vorms (Germany), 95. ^\'orsaae, 102. Wright, T., 22,54, 75, 76, 85,98. ro6, 107, no, 112 Wyatt, 82. Wylie, 21, 26, 29, 34,50, 52, 77,80, 82, 100, 105. 1 10, 120. Printed by llazcll, Wa'soii, & Vincy, Ld., London and Ajlosbuij. 18 i^ GETTY CENTER LIBRARY 3 3125 00453 5296