Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 2.djvu/411



The Rev. F. T. Bayly, vicar of Brookthorpe, Gloucestershire, communicated a rubbing taken from an early incised slab, recently discovered in the church of St. Bride's, Glamorganshire. It measures in length 6 ft. 5 in., by 1 ft. 8 in. at the head, and 1 ft. 2 in. at the feet; the edge, is bevelled, measuring 2 in. and a half in width, and bears the following inscription: ✠ He is represented with his legs crossed; he is armed in a hawberk and chausses of mail, and wears a long surcoat, open in front. The only portion of plate armour is a small scull-cap, or cerveliére, on the front of which appears a fleur-de-lis, between two covered cups, and the shield, which hangs over the left arm, is charged with three covered cups, the bearing of Botiler. The spurs have rowels, and the feet rest on a wivern. In the right hand he holds his sword, drawn and upraised, and there appears a wavy line or ridge along the middle of the blade, which is of very unusual occurrence. The fashion of ornamenting the head- piece with any heraldic device is also unusual, and the only example hitherto noticed is supplied by the monumental portraiture of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died A.D. 1149. That prince is represented as wearing a head-piece, similar in form to the Phrygian bonnet, and deco-