Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/385

 elaborate though clumsily constructed sword in the Ashmolean Museum, which, though traditionally stated to have been given by Pope Leo X to King Henry VIII, is, however, obviously of considerably later date, the hilt being probably made in the latter years of the XVIth century. The blade of this sword is of still later date (Fig. 724). It is not known when this alleged Papal gift came into the possession of the University.

Italian workmanship since subjected to alterations

Presented to King James IV by Pope Julius II in 1507. Royal Scottish Regalia

The hilt of the ceremonial sword included in the Scottish Regalia is of silver-gilt, elaborately wrought; while the pommel, which is somewhat flattened, is decorated on each side with circular garlands of embossed leafwork, within which were originally fixed enamelled plates, now lost. The grip is of baluster form, ornamented with acorns and oak leaves, the badge of Pope Julius II; the quillons consist of two dolphins facing towards the centre and terminating in acorns and oak leaves. Placed between the dolphins, which, it may be noted, have been re-made by a Scottish silversmith, are two leaves, now broken at the ends, which overlap the mouth of the scabbard. The blade, which now measures 3 feet 3 inches in length, has at some time been broken and re-ground. It is double-edged, with a central groove, and has etched on one side the figure of St. Peter, and on the other the figure of St. Paul; while both sides bear the inscription thinly etched and gilded. The scabbard is of wood, covered with crimson velvet, and ornamented with silver-gilt embossed work; on the