THE MONUMENTAL BRASSES OF WARWICKSHIRE. 
9 
the few exceptions suggested, however, the brasses extant in 
England are the work of English artists ; and the metal itself 
was made in England at least as early as 1565, when Queen 
Elizabeth granted a patent for its manufacture. It is much 
to be regretted that, while we may feel confident that certain 
groups of brasses are the work of the same artists, we are 
unable to discover who the artists were. 
The origin of the use of brasses may perhaps be accounted 
for in the following way. Marble monuments, with their 
carved canopies and life-size effigies, however majestic, took 
up a great space. Effigies in low relief, placed on the floors 
of churches, were in the way, and, like incised slabs, liable 
to wear ; Limoges enamels were still less suitable for use in 
a similar position. Hence, about the thirteenth century, 
monumental brasses came into use, following the incised 
slab in treatment, and the Limoges enamel, to a certain 
extent, both in treatment and material, and were at once 
cheap, convenient, and durable. 
To the arcliaBologist the use of the study of brasses is 
manifold. They accurately represent the vesture of the 
ecclesiastic, the armour of the knight, and the less extra¬ 
vagant fashions of civil costume. They supply the herald 
with armorial bearings ; and in the mouldings and tracery 
of their canopies afford valuable data for the history of 
Architecture. The inscriptions acquaint the genealogist 
with facts of family history, and the palaeographer with the 
forms of letters in use at different periods ; while all ma} 7 
learn from them something of the thoughts and aspirations 
that have swayed the generations of the past. 
Fac-similes of Monumental Brasses may easily be obtained 
by laying paper (paper-hangers’ lining paper is most con¬ 
venient) upon the brass, and rubbing the paper with shoe¬ 
makers’ lieel-ball. Care should be taken to first brush out 
all dust from the incisions in the brass, and to fix the paper 
securely by weights or wafers. Rub hard so as to produce a 
good black impression; a result which will be further 
facilitated by carrying the lieel-ball in the trousers’ pocket 
previous to use, by which method the lieel-ball is slightly 
warm. 
Many pleasant holidays may be spent in collecting 
rubbings of these interesting memorials. This pursuit 
invigorates the body, quickens the imagination, and links 
one more closely with the bygone. There is the refreshing 
walk through country lanes far from smoke and noise, and 
then in some remote church, whose windows have let in the 
light of centuries, one stoops down in the quiet aisle and 
