Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/364

 covered with red velvet, with engraved silver mounts. These ornaments are of XVth century date, and probably formed part of the decorations of the sword as originally made in 1440. The blade now in the hilt is of early XIXth century date and unfortunately quite out of keeping with it. Local tradition and history alike assert that this interesting sword was given to the town by Henry VIII on the occasion of his visit in 1541; but the evidence afforded by the corporation records, and that derived from an examination of the sword itself, show that it was originally made to order in 1440. In the chamberlain's account for 1450-1 is this entry: "Solut Johanni Steton pro Nova vagina ad gladium majoris xx.s."

Middle of the XVth century

The second sword of Lincoln is another fine XVth century weapon (Fig. 701), complete with its original blade—the whole apparently of English