Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/388

358 which occur upon certain medieval rings and devices, which probably are in many cases anagrammatic, and the original orthography of the legend corrupted and changed, in others. Other examples may be cited in which legends similar to that of the Bredicot ring occur, but more or less modified and varied. There can be little question that the same talismanic type is to be traced in the legend on a gold ring found in Rockingham forest in 1841, thus inscribed on the outer side,, and on the inner side,. We are enabled by the kindness of the Rev. H. H. Knight, of Neath, Glamorganshire, to record the existence of another singular ring, bearing some of the same magical words. This ring is of gold, much bent and defaced: it was found some years since on the Glamorganshire coast, near to the Worms Head, the western extremity of the county, where numerous objects have at various times been found on the shifting of the sand, such as fire-arms, an astrolabe, and silver dollars. It has been supposed that these remains indicate the spot where a Spanish or Portuguese vessel was wrecked about 200 years since. Of this curious relic, communicated through the Rev. R. Gordon, a correct representation is here, by Mr. Knight's obliging permission, submitted to our readers. The talismanic character of these mysterious words seems to be sufficiently proved by comparison with the physical charms given in an English medical MS. preserved at Stockholm, and published by the Society of Antiquaries. Amongst various cabalistic prescriptions is found one, "for peynys in theth .... Boro berto briore + vulnera quinque dei sint medicina mei + Tahebal + ghether (or guthman) +++ Onthman," &c. The last word should probably be read Guthman, and it is succeeded by five crosses, possibly in allusion to the five wounds of the Saviour.

In ancient medicinal compilations numerous directions occur for the composition of amulets. The MSS. in the Sloane collection supply much information connected with the use of such written charms. The Stockholm MS., apparently of the latter part of the fourteenth century, informs us that