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Nos. SI, 32, 33, 31, and 35 are all buckles of a very 

 peculiar structure. In the first, there seems, as it were, 

 a struggle between the buckle and the brooch, the general 

 features agreeing with the former, while, as concerns the 

 latter, the pin is so delicate that it could not injure a 

 satin ribbon. No. 32 is an oval buckle, and 33 is one 

 perfectly circular. The last is identical in form with that 

 which we find in the arms of Case, and it may either be 

 described, as we have reason to 

 believe that it is described, as a 

 buckle, a brooch, or a ring. No. 34 

 is one which bears a near resem- 

 blance to a crown, though probably 

 that was not intended ; and its tong 

 or fastening has clearly been attached 

 to the inside or cross-bar. No. 35 

 appears to be very antique. It is 

 very perfect, of good metal, and at 

 each side of it is seen the head of a 

 The Buckle of Case. snake radely shaped. 



On this subject I was favoured with the following 

 remarks by Albert Way, Esq., F.S.A., Secretary of the 

 British Archeeological Institute, and late Director of the 

 Society of Antiquaries : — 



" Buckles. — It may now be difficult to establish a dis- 

 " tinction between the buckle (properly so called according 

 " to our use of the word) and the ring fibula, which seems 

 "to be the beag of the Saxons, — the 'beigh' often men- 

 " tioned by writers of a later period. 



"' He gafe theo byschop, to gode hans, 

 " Itiche beyghes, besans, and pans.' 



King Alisaunder, in 1572. 



" This word, however, it must be observed, is used to 

 " denote the armilla, the collar or tore, and, indeed, anv 

 " ring-shaped instrument. The ring fibula is scarcely 

 " disused, even at the present time, in some parts of Eng- 

 " land; and the examples of the medieval times are very 

 " numerous, and often beautifully ornamented. The buckle 

 " of the Cases, of Lancashire, is, I think, unquestionably 

 " such a brooch : that is to say, it was not such as were 

 " attached to a strap — it was worn to attach any portion of 

 " the dress, but especially the fente at the neck, as seen in 



