Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 8.djvu/288

 212 PROCEEDINGS AT MEETINGS OP Mr. Ashurst Majesdie produced a very interesting volume, the Survej, or Terrier, of the Honor of Hedingham, Essex, made by Israel Arrayne, in 1592, by the orders of Burleigh. He pointed out the actual value of this document, not merely in an antiquarian point of view, but from the accuracy with which copyhold lands are marked out, so as to render it of frequent utility as an authority in any disputed question. There are also numerous plans, including one of the Castle and adjacent buildings, which are carefully detailed. He pointed out an evidence of the early cukiva- tion of hops in Essex, a plot near the castle being designated as the lord's hop-ground. It is generally stated that they were introduced into England from Artois, about 1524 ; and Edward VI., in 1552, granted privileges to hop-grounds. A more detailed notice of this MS. will be given hereafter. Mr. Bcrtt communicated a transcript of a letter from Babington, pray- ing mercy from Elizabeth, in consideration of his wife and children. He had lately found this copy amonafst papers at the Chapter House, supposed to have been the Collections of Sir W. Cecill, Master of the Court of Wards and Liveries. Antiquities mti CHorltS nf ^rt eyf^vbitctJ. By Mr. Stradlixg, of Roseville, Bridgwater. — A singular metallic ring, supposed to be of tin, one of a considerable number found by the late Samuel Hasell, Esq., deposited in a rudely-fashioned urn, of which a frag- ment was kindly sent for examination. Sir Richard Colt Hoare, as Mr. Stradling observed, had considered the tumulus upon the hill known as " Dundon Beacon," in the parish of Compton Dundon, near Somerton, to have been merely a mound raised to support a beacon. Mr. Hasell, who resided in that parish, where he discovered the interesting Roman Villa, at Littleton, determined to investigate the real character of the tumulus ; and beneath its base he found a cist of the rudest construction, enclosing the bones of a skeleton deposited in a kneeling posture, the body thrown backwards, and the head forward. When first exposed, the skeleton was in perfect preservation, and the position had been preserved by a mass of small stones in the cist, in which also was found the urn containing the i-ings, which had been regarded as of the nature of " ring money," formed of tin. The metal is now much oxidated : the ring massive, and penan- nular, diam. rather more than three quarters of an inch, bearing close resemblance in dimension to the small type of golden ring-money often found in Ireland, and occasionally in this country. Mr. Stradling con- sidered these remarkable rings of white metal to have been the circu- lating medium in very early times. Mr. William Baker, of Bridgwater, Secretary of the Somersetshire Archaeological Society, communicated a sketch of another interesting relic of the same class. It is a penannular gold ring, (see wood- cut) found in 1848, in digging brick-clay at Hamp, in the parish of Bridgwater, about 6 feet from the surface, and resting in the firm alluvial deposit. Its weight is 120 grs., (a precise multiple of six). This curious relic is in the possession of John Brown, Esq., of Bridgwater, on whose property it was discovered. Mr. Baker stated that a specimen of ancient pottery, rudely ornamented, had been brought to light, some feet deeper in the clay than the spot where the ring was found. iterestmg reuc O