ANGLO-SAXON REMAINS 



The secondary interment of this period found by Mr. Lucas in Bower's- 

 low near Tissington was also precisely similar. 1 



A more remarkable warrior's grave was opened by Mr. Bateman 

 at Benty Grange, Monyash, in 1848." Here the mound seems to have 

 been of tempered earth throughout. Not a vestige of the deceased 

 warrior was left, except his hair, 3 near which was a curious assemblage 

 of ornaments, consisting of the remains of a silver-edged leather cup, 

 decorated with four wheel-shaped ornaments and two crosses of thin 

 silver ; two or three champleve enamels upon copper discs in silver 

 frames, i| inches in diameter ; a knot of fine wire ; and a quantity of 

 thin bone variously ornamented with lozenges, etc., which had been 

 attached to a silk fabric. Six feet from these, but in an uncertain position 

 in respect to the body, was a large mass of oxidized iron, which re- 

 solved itself into the framework of a helmet and the linked bars of a 

 padded cuirass or lorica. The helmet was slightly conical in form. From 

 the iron circle which invested the head, rose several (apparently five or 

 six) iron ribs, which, uniting at the summit, gave support to the small 

 figure of a hog, also of iron, but with bronze eyes. The front rib was 

 prolonged downwards to form a nasal which was ornamented with a 

 silver cross. The spaces between the ribs had been filled in with narrow 

 plates of horn diagonally arranged, and the helmet was further enriched 

 with silver decorations. No sword or other weapon was observed in this 

 grave. 



Another mound of a similar type was opened by Mr. Bateman in 

 the following year in a field called the Low near Newhaven House. Two- 

 thirds of the mound had been removed and the rest was in a disturbed 

 condition, but within it were found some small pieces of iron straps not 

 unlike the framework of the helmet above referred to ; a boss of thin 

 bronze, and a small circular box ornamented with six vertical ribs or 

 pillars, cast in the same metal/ 



The graves of women are not always distinguishable from those of 

 the men, as the knife, so frequently present, occurs with both sexes. 

 Ladies of rank, however, may be distinguished by the associated articles. 

 In a barrow of this period at Wyaston, for instance, were found a hand- 

 some necklace composed of amber and variegated frit beads, a finger- 

 ring of silver wire twisted into an ornamental knot at the junction of 

 the ends, two silver earrings and a ring-brooch of a yellow alloy. All 

 that remained of the lady herself was the enamel of her teeth. 5 In a 

 barrow at Hurdlow, opened in 1849," the skeleton still remained, 

 stretched at full length, with the head to the west. At the hip was a 

 small iron knife, while near the right shoulder and amid the remains 

 of a hazel basket, were a thin bronze canister containing thread, two 

 pins or broken needles, and a mass of corroded iron, consisting of 



1 ReRjuary, v. 165. 



2 Diggings, p. 28 ; Journ. Brit. Arch. Assoe. iv. 276 ; Jewitt, Grave Mounds and their Contents, p. 251. 



3 For a remarkable example of the complete disappearance of a skeleton, see Vestlgts, p. 58. 

 * Diggings, p. 45. 5 Ibid. p. 188. 9 Ibid. p. 52. 



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