ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS
of quartz crystal are compared with a particularly fine specimen found at Myton/ in a part of Warwickshire that was probably included in Hwiccia. Several other specimens are figured in Neville's Saxon Obsequies from the cemetery at Wilbraham, Cambs. The spearheads vary in size, but all present the Anglo-Saxon characteristic, their sockets being open along one side. Some glass beads (fig. 3) are also mentioned, and the largest of the cruciform brooches retained traces of gilding.
The brooches as usual are the most interesting and instructive part of the find, and the discovery of the peculiar saucer-shaped variety stamps the cemetery at once as West Saxon, for they occur only in England and are confined to a very definite area, where the West Saxons are known to have been located in the pagan period. But the case is different with the cruciform brooches found at Upton Snodsbury. In the first place the term has often been used to include what are better described as square-headed, and in the present case does not apply equally well to all three specimens. The term 'cruciform' has not only been applied to the large gilt Anglian specimens, as those from Sleaford, Lines, in the national collection, but also to a quite different variety ^ from Long Wittenham, Berks, only about 3 inches long, with none of the Anglian characteristics. The large brooch (fig. 6) is incomplete at the foot, and belongs to an Anglian type, closely resembling one from Sleaford; while the smaller pair (figs. 7, 8), without being characteristic, are more akin perhaps to some from the upper Thames valley.
The brooches and ornaments already referred to are however sur- passed in value if not in interest by a remarkable gold ornament for which the term ' union-pin ' has been suggested. This was discovered about forty years since near Little Hampton with a skeleton, together with an Anglo-Saxon sword, which was presented to the Society of Antiquaries. The exact site of the discovery is somewhat uncertain, but according to the original account it was on the right bank of the Avon, between Little Hampton and the Birmingham and Gloucester- shire railway as it runs into Evesham. Great and Little Hampton both lie on the southern bank of the river, and the interment must have therefore been in the bend of the Avon a little to the south-west of Evesham.
The coloured drawing (fig. 2) will convey an accurate idea of the jewel, which has been described by the late Sir Wollaston Franks.^ It consists of four oblong pieces of fine gold filigree linked together by shorter pieces, which are hollow and rounded. In the middle is a disc of gold, with a circular slab of garnet in the centre, from which radiate applied gold wires forming a wheel of eight spokes. Attached to the disc is a short hollow link intended to connect a pendant. Of the two gold pins found at the ends of the chain one only remains, but is an important factor in determining the use and character of the relic. The
1 Figured in Journal of Archaolo^cal Institute, ix. 179.
- Two examples are figured in Archaohgia, xxxix. 142, pi. xi. figs. 8, 9.
' Society of Antiquaries, Proceedings, ser. 2, iii. 27. 229
