Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 3.djvu/96

76 of the fourteenth century. A seal with a similar device is in the possession of R. Weddell, Esq., of Berwick.

Mr. Orlando Jewitt exhibited a drawing and impression of a brass seal of the fourteenth century, found near Abingdon, Berks. The device is the figure of St. Margaret, trampling on a dragon, her usual emblem, with the legend *. This seal is of pyramidal form, hexagonal, and terminates in a trefoil, precisely resembling in shape the seal of John de Ufford before described.

The curious seal, here represented, communicated to the Institute by the Marquess of Northampton, was found about five years since in a field near to the collegiate church of Stoke by Clare, Suffolk. It is now in the possession of Mr. Barton, of Woodbridge, and appears to have been used as a secretum, or privy seal. The device is an antique intaglio, a cornelian set in silver, with the legend, the setting being apparently work of the fourteenth century. The device represents a genius holding in his hand a head, probably a mask, and about to deliver it into the hands of a little faun, who is seen skipping before him. It has been conjectured that this antique had been chosen as a device by one of the deans or members of the church of Stoke, which was dedicated to St. John the Baptist, from a supposed assimilation to the Scriptural history of the delivery of the head of St. John by the executioner to the daughter of Herodias. The legend is of frequent occurrence on medieval seals and ornaments, and possibly was regarded as a charm. Amongst the bequests of William of Wykeham, occurs a monile, or pendent ornament, probably attached to a pair of beads, on which were graven the same words. On the reverse of the seal there is a little ring, and an ornament chased in the form of a leaf. Two privy seals of similar fashion found near Luddesdown, in Kent, have been communicated by the Rev. E. Shepherd, both being composed of antique gems, mounted in silver of medieval workmanship. One bears the device of a lion, with his paw resting on a bull's head, and the legend, the other exhibits an eagle displayed, with the motto. Probably the bird was considered to be the ominous raven. Another similar medieval appropriation of an antique gem, an engraved onyx, was communicated by Mr. Hansbrow, of Lancaster: it was found at "Galla Hill," in Carlisle. In every instance there was a little loop or ring on the reverse of the seal, near the upper extremity of the oval.

Several curious specimens of the ring-shaped brooch, discovered n various parts of England, may be regarded with interest by the readers of the Journal. This kind of fibula was worn from times of remote antiquity, it was perhaps less commonly used by the Romans than the bow-shaped