MSS., to have been presented to the city by Richard II in 1394; but a sword is not mentioned in the Charter which Richard II granted to the city, and certainly the present state sword is not of so early a date. It is recorded, however, that one Hugh Dutton was sword-bearer in 1494, and that the city sword was carried before King Henry VII on his visit to Chester in that same year; so it is possible that the present sword may be that particular weapon, for in formation it corresponds to swords of that date. It has a lozenge-shaped pommel of silver-gilt, and very largely proportioned drooping quillons in the same medium. Each end of the quillon has on one side a lion's head, and on the other a garb. The grip is of fish skin mounted with longitudinal metal bands. The blade is double-edged, and bears traces of shields of arms engraved diagonally upon it about 12 inches from the hilt; but these are now almost obliterated from repeated cleaning.
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Fig. 706. Sword of King's Lynn
Early years of the XVIth century
With a description of the state sword of King's Lynn (Fig. 706) we bring to a close our history of the late XIVth, the XVth, and the early XVIth
