Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/350

 seen upon two Scottish swords preserved in the Royal collection at Windsor Castle (Figs. 689 and 690). But in the case of Claidheamh-mors, as in that of all swords, however closely we may attempt to group them, there are particular differences in the elaboration of the details which show how personal whims and fancies have obviously been allowed to come into play. Thus the four-quilloned Claidheamh-mor, now preserved at Hawthornden, Midlothian, may be mentioned as a useful enough reminder of the eccentricities of some owner or swordsmith of the past. The period of this weapon we should judge to be early XVIth century; but the pommel appears to have been associated with it at a considerably later date (Fig. 691).