ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS 



may be compared with specimens in the British Museum from Malton, 

 Cambs, 1 and Long Wittenham, Berks, the ornament on all consisting of 

 stamped patterns produced by means of punches, as was that of another 

 piece of jewellery from the same grave. There was found a disc of 

 gold (fig. n) 2 inches in diameter, which had evidently been attached 

 to a necklace, 2 doubtless composed of the amber beads that also came to 

 light. 



The bracteate, of which these are examples, is familiar to the 

 student of northern archaeology, and is mainly restricted to a certain 

 period and area. They are seldom found outside the Scandinavian 

 countries, and apart from specimens that clearly belong to a later date, 

 are referred unquestionably to the centuries between 450 and 650.' This 

 of course only limits the date of their manufacture, but it is unlikely 

 that so thin a disc of soft gold, exposed as it was to friction and accident, 

 would last more than an ordinary lifetime. The present example is 

 damaged near the loop and considerably rubbed, but a close examination 

 enables the design to be distinguished sufficiently to range it with a 

 particular Scandinavian series. It now weighs 5 dwt. 1 1 grains, and 

 has an embossed design, the concentric borders being executed by means 

 of punches. The stamps no less than the central device had doubtless 

 a religious signification, but for our present purpose the style of execution 

 is of primary importance. The row of dots near the centre is seen on 

 the large majority of specimens, and may be regarded as the lower out- 

 line of the helmet, which with the head it covered generally occupied 

 a large share of the field. Below was an animal resembling a horse, 

 though sometimes horns are distinctly visible. The figure which is 

 represented by the helmeted head is seen, like the horse, in profile, usually 

 to the left, and sometimes on either side of the rider are seen runic 

 characters and a bird of indeterminate character. This combination of 

 symbols has enabled some of the leading antiquaries of Scandinavia to 

 identify the figures and explain the symbolism from their voluminous 

 mythological records. Even if it were possible to decipher the present 

 specimen, its interpretation would here be out of place, for there can 

 be little doubt that the Longbridge bracteate was imported from Scan- 

 dinavia, and can only by accident throw light on the early condition of 

 the inhabitants of Warwickshire. Suffice it then to say that one of the 

 common types of the gold bracteate is here represented ; and as most 

 of them were connected with the legend of Sigurd, 4 and many bear 

 the swastika of Thor, their origin may be sought in the cult of 

 heroes, among whom the greatest ranked as the national deities of 

 Scandinavia. 



It is possible to range the more common forms in order of chronology, 



1 See also Collectanea Antique, vol. vi. pi. raiv. 

 s Figured in "Journal of Archeeok&cal Institute, xxxiii. 380. 



8 Memoirei, 1850 60, p. 291 ; 1866-71, pp. 323, 361 ; Sophus Mliller, NorJische Alterthumi- 

 kunde, ii. 193. 



4 Memoiret dt la Societl des Antiquairei du nurd, 1866-71, pi. xvii. figs. 4-1 1, p. 344. 



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