Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/820

 LOVE 792 and tumuli, since they are legacies of invading forces, and not really proper to the country. The Fede Ring Fig. 7.— The first illustration shows a ring of the Anglo-Saxon period, a form still in use to- day, as seen in the modern curb ring (Fig; 15). The Fede ring forms the subject of illustration 2. These rings, which originated in Roman times, became very popular during the Middle Ages, and were used even after that period. The chief point to note in them is that the bezel is formed by two clasped hands, signifying plighted troth, the word " fede " denoting " faith," or troth. The Claddagh ring (Fig. 3) is a similar type. These rings belong to the fisherfolk of Galway, who form quite an exclusive section, and, as they frequently intermarry, these rings have been handed down from one family to another. The oldest dates from the fourtee'nth century, and some still in use are very old. Puzzle Rings The " puzzle " rings also belong to the Fede
 * lass. Fig. 6 depicts an excellent example to be

seen in the British Museum. Still another form is shown in Fig. 10, and it will be seen that the jointed parts are so made that when the three portions of the ring are in correct position the two hands clasp each other to form the usual bezel. Getnmel Rings The Gemmel, or Gimmel, ring (Fig. 8), as it is more commonly called, is a kind of double ring, and derives its name from the French word, " jumelle " (twin). These rings were so called because they were made of two flat hoops which, when fitted closely together, had the appearance of an undivided ring. Each of these halves was generally engraven with a name or motto, one half being worn by the man, the other by the maid ; and on the wedding-day the two were fitted together, and became the property of the bride. Love Tokens ' As well as being love tokens, or pledges, these portions of the ring were also useful sometimes in establishing identity and good faith. Occasionally the gimmel consisted of three parts, and it was of such an one that Herrick i^Tote : " Thou senVst to me a true love-knot, hut I Return a ring of jimmals to imply Thy love had one knot, mine a triple tye." In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries inscription, or " motto," rings became highly fashionable, the mottoes usually being of an ethical or religious character, such as, " In pcus salus " ; "Tout pour bien faire," etc., the inscription often being on the outside of the ring. ••MIzpah" It is interesting to note that this idea was revived about five and thirty years ago, when the " Mizpah " ring (Fig. 4) became a' great favourite. The word is taken from Genesis xxxi. 49, when Laban and Jacob made a heap of stones as a witness of the covenant between them. The actual word means a beacon, or watch-tower. " And Laban said. ' This heap is a witness between me and thee this day.' Therefore was the name of it called Galeed, and Mizpah, for ne said, ' The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are absent one from another. " Usually the word was raised in simple lettering > but sometimes Old English or fancy letterings were employed. From the middle of the sixteenth to the latter part of the eighteenth centuries " posy " rings were in great demand. The word " posy " is derived from the French " poesie," poetry ; and since the gift of a posy, or verse, was often accom- panied by a bouquet or a bunch of flowers (to which the term posy has been transferred) it arose that a ring inscribed with a verse came to be also called a " posy " ring. Posy Rings In the fifteenth century the words or lines were usually placed externally (Fig. 7) ; but at the beginning of the sixteenth century they were inscribed within the hoop (Fig. 5). Some of the most popular posies of the six- teenth century were : " / am yours." " My hart and I untill I dieJ* " Por tous fours." " Love is sure where faith is pure." " In thee my choice I do rejoice." And in the seventeenth century these gold circlets were usually elaborately chased "outside, and contained such sentiments a? : " / chuse not to change." " Live in luve.''* " Let liking last." " Time lesseneth not my love." "All else refuse but thee I chuse." While the eighteenth century gives us : " Endless as this shall be our bliss." " God alone made us two one." " No treasure like a true friend." We can only hope these sentiments indeed helped the giver to " Keepe fayth till deth." Another modern ring which is surely the descendant of these posy rings is that shown in Fig. 9, wherein the ivy is taken as the type of constant affection. The Carter Ring Yet another interesting comparison is the modern buckle ring (Fig. 12) with the "garter" ring of the sixteenth century (Fig. 11). When these rings were first made they were formed like a badge of the Order of the Garter, with the buckle in front, and outside the hoop the motto of the Order, and inside any chosen posy, such as " I'll win and wear thee." For some time the buckle rings, which came into vogue about fifty years ago, were made solid ; then later they were made to open and display the loved one's name beneath the fastening. True-love-knot Ring There is also similarity between the present- day true-love -knot ring (Fig. 13) and those of an early period, one of which belonged to the Earl of Northampton in 16 14, and is described as " a golde ring sett with fifteene diamondes in a true-lover's knotte." Last century saw the introduction of the "Harlequin" ring into our midst (Fig. 14). These derive their names from the fact that they were set with several stones of different colour, and thus somewhat resembled the motley dress of the pantomime hero. Beside being used in the ever-popular plain band, they were made in the three and even five tier ring, which Queen Victoria Eugenie of Spain chose for her betrothal ring. To be continuea. 1