By Mr. W. Ffoulkes.—A gold signet-ring, preserved by the family of J. Jones, Esq., of Llanerchrugog Hall; and impressions, as it is stated, occur appended to deeds concerning that property from the middle of the thirteenth century. The impress is a monogram, seemingly I and M (Jesus and Maria?), placed under a crown. It has been supposed to he the ring of Madoc, one of the last Princes of Powis, and to have descended as an heir-loom, with lands granted by them to the ancestors of Mr. Jones.
By Col. Jarvis, of Doddington, Lincoln.—A singular specimen of the Branks, for the punishment of scolding women, according to the singular usage of olden times, first noticed by Plot, in his "History of Staffordshire." It has a long peak projecting from the face, which gives a very grotesque aspect to this curious object. It was exhibited, by the kind permission of Col. Jarvis, in the Museum formed during the Meeting of the Institute at Lincoln. A representation will be given in a future Journal.
By the Worshipful the Mayor of Stafford.—Another Branks, of more simple form, preserved in the Guildhall of Stafford,—a relic of ancient municipal discipline. The motto, "Garrulalingu a nocet," is inscribed around it. With these was likewise exhibited the Branks from Lichfield, communicated, on a previous occasion, by the Worshipful the Mayor, through Mr. Hewitt.[1]
By Mr. Forrest.—The mounting, or embouchure of an aulmonière, or purse for the collection of alms, as used in many Continental churches. It is of bronze, beautifully chased and gilt. Date, sixteenth century.
By Mr. Le Keux.—Specimens of early engraved drinking glasses, very elaborately ornamented.
By Mr. Utting.—Coronation medal of Charles I. and Henrietta Maria; also a miniature portrait of Prince Charles, stated to have been presented by him to Sir William Fagg, for services rendered at the Battle of Worcester, and preserved by the family.
By the Rev. H. Maclean.—Eleven rubbings from sepulchral brasses in the churches of Shorne, Cowling, Halston, Rainham, and Minster. He presented these to the collection of the Institute.
By Mr. W. J. Bernhard Smith.—A sketch of a singular figure, carved in low relief, in one of the deeply recessed windows at Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire, possibly cut on the sandstone by some prisoner. It represents a man in the curious costume of the early part of the fifteenth century, with a falcon on his fist, a hound under his feet. Several other designs of a similar nature are also to be seen, stags, a hawk with a partridge, &c.
By Mr. C. J. Palmer, F.S.A., of Yarmouth.—A "Rider" or gold piece of James I., recently found on the beach near Great Yarmouth, where several coins of the same reign have from time to time been discovered, probably vestiges of a wreck in former days. It bears date 1598.
Numerous matrices and impressions of seals have been communicated, of which no mention is made in the foregoing Reports. It is proposed henceforth to unite, in occasional Notices, such information of this kind as may be received. The first portion of these Contributions towards the History of Medieval Seals will be given in the next Journal, with a scheme for their general classification. It has been suggested that a list of existing matrices of conventual seals, and those connected with offices or institutions of an ecclesiastical character, might prove interesting to many of our readers. Any aid in this object will be highly acceptable.
- ↑ Archaeol. Journal, vol. vi., p. 407.
