REPORT ON THE STAPENHILL EXPLORATIONS. 179 
somewhat of the same nature as that which had just termi- 
nated, and where such things would again be required. Be 
this as it may, there is no doubt that this custom has been 
of inestimable service to Archzeological Science, for were it 
not for the presence of these articles in Anglo-Saxon graves, 
we should have known absolutely nothing of the ‘‘ wondrous 
skill of our forefathers in goldsmith’s work, of their know- 
ledge of the manufacture of glass into beads and drinking 
vessels, of their high cultivation of art, and of their great 
practical acquaintance with the mystery of the smith.” 
WEAPONS OF WARFARE. 
The most frequent accompaniment of the Saxon warrior 
are his spear and shield. The spear was generally laid by 
the right side of the body; it is specially characterised by the 
elongated cusp and split socket. Along with the handle, which 
was made of linden or ash, it measured about 6 feet. The 
butt end was sometimes shod with a spike so that it could, 
in emergency, be planted obliquely in the ground as a defence 
against charges of cavalry. Perhaps it may be worth noting 
here that the spears of the Anglo-Saxons were invariably de- 
posited in their graves with the points towards the head, whilst 
those in the cemetery of the Franks at Selzen, in Germany, 
were as constantly in the reverse position. Javelins are some- 
times found with the remains presumably of boys or young 
men; they have frequently been mistaken for arrow-heads by 
the earlier archzologists, but there is no evidence whatever to 
lead us to suppose that the Saxons used the bow and arrow 
either as weapons of warfare or of the chase. 
The Saxon shield was formed of light wood, such as the ash or 
linden, and covered with a tough hide; the centre of the shield 
being furnished with an iron boss or umbo, which, whilst it 
formed a cavity for the reception of the hand, served also to 
protect the hand from injury. The shields of the Teutonic races 
were not borne on the arms, but held at arm’s-length. In this 
way the bearer could break the force of a weapon hurled against 
