Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 11.djvu/339

This page needs to be proofread.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. 291 life-size, barc-hcadcd, but otliCM-wise in full armour, the right hand is raised and holds a rosary, while the left is placed on the hilt of the sword, both head and body turn to the right. The breastplate is globular, and on it is the cross of the Teutonic order, of which Frederick was grand master ; this, it would seem, is represented as painted or engraved upon the breast-plate, inasmuch as no surcoat is shown. Over the armour is worn a long mantle" with a hood ; the cross of the order is embroidered on the left shoulder. On each side of the feet is an escutcheon, that on the right bearing his paternal arms surmounted by the Teutonic cross, that on the left the arms of his mother, the lion of Bohemia. This brass nmch resembles, but is somewhat inferior to, that of the Duchess Sidonia, both as regards drawing and execution, the latter in particular being coarser ; there is, however, much force in the drawing, especially of the head. The inscription in small black letter which surrounds the figure is as follows : — " Nach Xpi gepurt MCCCCC. uri X jar am XIII. tag des monnats decembris ist zu Rochlisz mit tod v'schaiden der hochwirdig durchlaichtig und hochgepornn first uii herr herr friderich tewtsches ordenns hohemaister choadiutor der Erszpischofflichen kirchen zu Magdeburg herzog zu Sachsen lanttgrafF In Thuringen uli marggrafi'zu Meysse' des selle got genedig u"h barmherzig sey des leichnam by bcgraben light." i.e. "The year 1500 and 10, after Christ's birth, on the 13th day of the month of December, at Rochlitz, departed in death the most worthy, illustrious, and highborn prince and lord, Lord Frederick, Grandmaster of the Teutonic order, coadjutor of the Archi-episcopal church of Magdeburg, Duke of Saxony, Landgrave in Thuringia and Margrave of Meissen. May God be gracious to his soul. The body lies buried hereby." Frederick was chosen Grand-master in 1498, when only twenty-four years of age ; he refused to swear homage to the Kino- of Poland, as prescribed by the terms of the disastrous peace of Thorn, and was conse- quently obliged to retire into Germany, where, at the period of his death, he was endeavouring to procure aid from the German princes against the Poles. His successor, Albert of Brandenburg, procured the Duchy of Prussia to be made hereditary in his family, and laid the foundation of the present kingdom of Prussia. The brass at Lubeck lies in the choir of the cathedral, and commemorates John Tideman, Bishop of Liibeck, who died in 1561. It is of very large dimensions, and upon it is represented a Doric (?) portico, under which the Bishop stands, a curtain hanging in folds behind him. The architrave has triglyphs, between which are shields and oxen's heads. In the tympanum of the pediment is a very grandly drawn figure of the first person of the Trinity with long beard and hair and outstretched arms. The Bishop is represented of full life-size, in pontifical vestments, the mitre is not on his head, but carried in the right hand, while he bears his crozier in the left. At the feet are two escutcheons, that on the right bearing the arms of the see, and that on the left his own paternal coat. The drawing of the whole is good and spirited, the execution less refined than that of tlie above-mentioned brasses at Meissen. Mr. Allies communicated the following particulars regarding the discovery of ancient rcli(]ues near Cheltenham, which he sent for examination. ^ No doubt the white mjiiitle with ;i black cross, which was the dress of the order.