Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/230

206 ments alternating with small enamelled plates of silver of beautiful colouring, representing animals and grotesques. These bands which measure in width six tenths of an inch, are formed in separate pieces of the same breadth, curiously hinged together in order to give perfect pliability to the whole. There are also considerable remains of the beautiful crocketed crest, chased in silver gilt, and the jewelled extremities of the pendants or infulæ are likewise preserved. The most interesting of these curious fragments is an M crowned, being the monogram of the blessed Virgin, set with gems and partially enamelled, with the subject of the Annunciation introduced in the open parts of the letter. This ornament, of which a representation is here given, appears to have occupied a central and principal position on the mitre; but it has been considered by some persons as having formed the decoration of a morse, or kind of brooch used as a fastening of the cope in front upon the breast. The dimensions, however, (2in. by 2in.) seem to indicate that it was more suited to serve as an ornament of the mitre, and no morse is mentioned in the founder's will. It is much to be regretted that these rich fragments should not be re-arranged so as to display the original beauty of this unique example of the goldsmith's art, during the fourteenth century. It would be no difficult task, by comparison with examples afforded by episcopal effigies preserved in England, such as those of Archbishop Stratford, at Canterbury (1333—1348),and Abbot William de Colchester, in Westminster Abbey, in which instance the ground semé with pearls is shewn, to re-construct in its pristine richness the mitre of William of Wykeham. For the sake of comparison, the detailed description of the precious mitre of Louis d'Harcourt, patriarch and bishop of Bayeux, who died 1479, recorded in an ancient inventory of the treasures of that cathedral, may be here given; it might indeed serve as a description of the mitre of Wykeham, so closely does it correspond with the fragments which have been noticed. "Une mitre, dont le champ est de perles menues, semé d'autres perles plus grosses, ensemble trois et trois; ayant audevant xvj. affiches d'argent doré, et derrière autant, les uns émaillés, les autres enrichis de pierreries et petites perles; ayant au devant la representation de l'annonciation, et derriére le Couronnement de la Sainte Vierge, en images: les pendans garnis de vij. affiches tout le long, au bout de chacun iij. (affiches) qui font les bords, d'argent