Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/255

Rh THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. J 77 the Roman, period. The proximity of the ocean, in every instance, as far as my observations extend, would connect them with the remains of a migratory or marauding people. And although tl)e discoveries in Aldeiney were somewhat difficult to solve, I cannot conclude that the fact of their appearance with true ' Saniian ' would necessarily form a convincing proof of their Roman origin ; or the other fact, of finding a single example in the cromlech at Catiorac, of their being allied to the true Celtic pottery." The conjecture was suggested, with some degree of probability, that these singular relics might have served as weights for fishing-nets, since, judging by the examples laid before the Meeting, they were so formed that a cord niiglit be firmly tied round them. Mr. Thomas W. King, York Herald, communicated the following- account of certain Sculptured Figures in Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire, to which the attention of the Society had been called, at the previous meeting, by Mr. W. Bernhard Smith, (See page 90.) " The sculptured figures in Goodrich Castle, rubbings from which I have now the honour of submitting to the Institute, were probably executed by some unhappy persons confined in that fortress in the latter part of the fourteenth century. They are on the stone walls of the apartment in the first floor of the south-east tower, on the sides of the east and west windows. The curious figures, so sculptured, are formed by cutting away the surround- ing stone, and leaving them in bas-relief. " The inscription, one of the most interesting of these subjects, is cut upon the south side of the west window, and maybe read thus : — MAST'R SUM ADAM HASTYNS. This is accompanied by a figure of a man apparently crowned, with a divided beard ; and, according to the opinion of the late Sir Samuel Meyrick, in the costume of the time of Richard II. He is holding a hawk on his hand, and below him is a dog. " The remaining sculptures are in the east window. One of them repre- sents a figure of a man similar to that just described, being in the same costume, having a divided beard, and wearing a coronet distinctly composed of what are termed, in modern heraldry, strawberry leaves. He also holds a hawk upon his hand. This figure is not so high in relief as the others, and is very little more than an outline. " The other five comprise representations of the Virgin (crowned) and Child ; the devices of the stag couchantand swan ; a hawk, belled, pouncing on a bird ; a hare and rabbit ; and a bird, probably a pheasant. " It may be observed, that the figures of the animals are evidently drawn by a hand not unacquainted with their character, as they will be found to possess some good drawing, considering the period of their execution. It has been suggested that the stag and the swan may be badges of Richard II. and Henry IV. respectively ; but there does not seem sufficient evidence of this, or that it was the intention of the sculptor that they should be con- sidered so ; because all the animals above enumerated are associated with the wild sports of the day. " About the period which has been suggested as the time when these designs were made, Goodrich Castle appears to have been in the j)ossessiou of the noble family of Talbot ; Richard, Lord Talbot, of Eccleswall, who died in 1357, having derived it from his marriage with Elizabeth second daughter and coheir of John Comyn, Lord of Badcnoc, by Joan his wife, sister and coheir of Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. He was suc- ceeded by his son Gilbert, Lord Talbot, K.G., of Urchenfeld, Goodrich, and