on some ancient metallic Arms and Utensils . 401 
These swords are therefore prior to the conquest ; but which 
are Danish and which are Saxon, is not easy to determine. 
Probably these people, who were always at war with each 
other, and consequently had frequent opportunities of possess- 
ing themselves of each other’s weapons, adopted from each 
other whatever improvements were made by either ; and thus 
in effect they might both use the same weapons. Swords like 
this are to be seen in illuminated manuscripts, and on painted 
glass. In Strutt’s popba Sngel-cynnan, where he describes 
the customs of our Saxon and Danish ancestors, such swords 
frequently occur; especially in the lives of the two Offas. 
Similar swords are also in the hands of the Danes, who are 
killing the abbot of Croyland on the shrine, as delineated by 
Dr. Stukeley, in the Philosophical Transactions, Vol. XLV. 
P- 597- 
The brass scabbard before us possesses some degree of ele- 
gance, and much accuracy of workmanship. It appears to 
have been originally covered with a bright blue varnish, but 
the quantity was much too small for ascertaining its nature. 
Exactly such a sword as this is represented at the side of a 
Danish soldier, in pi. 2 6, Vol. I. of Strutt’s work just quoted. 
The sword within this scabbard was destroyed by rusting, and 
could not be drawn out. The pommel and guard had been 
broken off. There was a plate of open work, about four inches 
long, laid over one side, and near the top of the scabbard ; and 
at the bottom, on one side, was a sort of joint ; and on the 
other and opposite side was a bas-relief figure. The scabbard 
was made of hammered metal, and was perhaps about one- 
thirtieth of an inch thick. 
The next, and last three articles under the present head, are 
3 F 2 
