The Grave-mounds of Derbyshire, and their Contents. 465 



The ends of these plates were secured beneath with strips of 

 horn corresponding with the iron framework, and attached to 

 it by ornamental rivets of silver, at intervals of about an inch 



and a half from each other. On the bottom of the front rib, 

 which projects so as to form a nasal, is a small silver cross 

 (shown in the engraving), slightly ornamented round the edges 



by a beaded moulding, and on the crown of the helmet is an 

 elliptical bronze plate, supporting the figure of an animal 

 carved in iron, with bronze eyes, now much corroded, but 

 perfectly distinct, as the representation of a hog. There are, 

 too, many fragments, some more or less ornamented with 

 silver, which have been riveted to some part of the helmet in 

 a manner not to be explained or even understood. There are 

 also some small buckles of iron, which probably served to 

 fasten it upon the head." The boar, which is here borne as a 

 crest on the top of the helmet, was, it appears, according to 

 Tacitus, borne as a charm against the dangers of war, and this 

 custom is curiously illustrated by the poem of " Beowulf," which 

 is thus translated : — 



VOL. XII. — NO. VI. h H 



