75 



CatmltWs Stoovtr fotttiO at IZggmton. 



# 



By the Rev. R. Lethbridge Farmer. 



j 



HE sword, of which a photographic illustration is here 



given, was in the possession of the late Ven. 



Archdeacon Freer, and for some years stood in 



the corner of his drawing room at Sudbury Rectory, 



being justly prized by one who was so deeply interested in 



everything historic. 



It was discovered some few years ago at Egginton, when 

 the thatched roof of a cottage was being removed to make 

 place for one of slate. So deftly had it been hidden that, 

 though the surface thatch had often been renewed, it was 

 only when taking the whole roof to pieces that the weapon 

 came to light. It was in excellent preservation, and the 

 Archdeacon used to say that officers to whom he had shown 

 it doubted whether it had ever been used. 



To give a description, it may be said that the scabbard is 

 perfectly plain, bearing no marks, and is 39J inches in length. 

 The length of the sword blade is 38^ inches, and the width 

 i T 3 g in., slightly tapering. It is double edged and grooved, bear- 

 ing on each side the inscription X ANDRIA (x) FERARA X 

 followed by the " wolf-mark." 



The hilt is of the basket-form which, after the death of 

 King Charles I., became known as " mortuary." It is 

 profusely chased, pierced, and chiselled with four oval medal- 

 lions, one of these evidently containing a portrait of Charles I. 



* Mr. Andrew has kindly assisted me in this paper ; otherwise I should have 

 hesitated before attempting so technical a subject. — R. L. F. 



