Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 6.djvu/442

 290 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OF on the flat surface of each side externally. Weight, 3 dwts. 16 grains. Diameter, seven-eighths of an inch. It has been supposed to be a relic of the early British age'' : it was found under the foun- dations of a wall, not far from a cromlech, which was broken in pieces and removed from the field where it stood some years since. This destruction of a vener- able memorial having become known to the landlord, he compelled his tenant to bring back the fragments, which now lorm a heap, surrounded by a teuce. JNo account of this cromlech appears to have been recorded. Mr. Way exhibited a rubbing, supplied by the kindness of the Kev. H. T. Ellacombe, of Bitton, from the incised sepulchral slab in Wells Cathedral, exhibiting an episcopal effigy, supposed to be the memorial of one of the bishops of that see, named De Bitton. There is no inscription, but it appears to be the effigy described by Godwin as that of the second prelate of that name, William de Bitton (or Button), nephew of the first WilUam,' and pro- moted to the see of WeUs 51 Hen. III., 1267. He died November, 1274. He was held in veneration for the sanctity of his hfe, and his tomb appears to have been regarded as endowed with physical virtue, especially against tooth- ache. Thus Godwin states — " Monumentum ejus situm est inter duas columnas ab australi parte chori, ubi marmor videmus Pontificis imaginem hahens in- scid^dam, superstitiose coli solitani (ut accepimus) ab imperita plebe, ac illis presertim quibus dentes dolerent."^ The joeculiar form of the mitre is in accordance with the fashion of the later part of the reign of Henry III. In this particular, in the foliated volute of the pastoral staff, and other details, this interesting figure corresponds with that of Hugh de Northwold, Bishop of Ely,^ who died in 1254. (See the accompanying woodcut."*) Lord Willoughby de Broke communicated, through Mi Evelyn Shirley, two very curious examples of early embroidery in England, preserved at Compton Verney, Warwickshire. They consist of a stole, decorated with scutcheons of arms, which appear, however, to be rather imitative of armorial bearings than properly heraldic ; also an inscribed band of embroidery, probably part of a funeral pall, the letters being placed so as to read horizontally; the legend is, " In hora mortis svccvrre nobis domine." Each letter being enclosed in a separate quatrefoil on a gold ground. At either end is a shield bearing a cross sable. A centre shield bears a lion rampant. On the back another legend in needlework commemorates the lady by whose skilful hand it was wrought. DOIM'NA JOHANNA DE BEVERLEI MONACA ME FECIT. These specimens of ancient needlework are of the fourteenth centuiy. , By Mr. Bichardson. — Casts from seven panels of the curious perpen- dicular font in Bourn Church, Lincolnshire. It is of octagonal form, and of the Perpendicular Style, bearing the inscription — }i. t^t iionuix quotJ e5t ' Pliny alludes to the British fashion of qiiom in medio capellae heatae Marise situm wearing a gold ring on the middle finger, for videmus." whieli, certainly, this ring is suited, by its - (iodwin, de Prses., p. 374. unusual size. ^ Engraved in Stothard's " Monumental ' William dc Bitton, first of the name, KfTigies." was bishop from 1248 to VMM, and was ' Arridcntally mislettcrcd as in St. Cuth- intcrrcd, says Godwin, "in tumulo marmoreo, bcrt's Church, Wells.