gallons, was discovered in this deposit, within which was found a smaller vase containing burned bones. Similar instances of small cinerary vases deposited within those of large dimensions have occurred; one during the recent explorations by the Hon. Richard Neville, on the borders of Cambridgeshire; another is recorded in Mr. Disney's work on his valuable collection preserved at the Hyde, Ingatestone, and the original urns are placed in his museum.
Mr. Disney laid before the meeting drawings of several interesting examples of monumental sculpture, representing the tombs of the lords of Norton Disney, Lincolnshire, and persons of the ancient family, there settled, from which Mr. Disney derives his descent. He communicated also various particulars regarding these family memorials, the drawings of which he presented to the Institute, accompanied by a view of Kirkstead Abbey, founded by his ancestors, which had formed a leading feature of interest in one of the excursions during the meeting of the Society at Lincoln; and promised further information, by which we hope, on a future occasion, to give a full description of these interesting sepulchral effigies.
By Mr. Bandinel.—A singular silver matrix of a seal, date about the reign of Richard II., bearing a merchant's mark on a scutcheon, in lieu of any heraldic bearing. It is of peculiar construction, so formed, by means of a screw in the handle, that the central portion of the impress might be brought forward and disunited from the surrounding part on which the legend is inscribed; apparently with the intention of enabling the owner to use it both as a seal and counter-seal, or secretum. On the scutcheon is the letter H in chief, a cross with equal limbs, and a star. Above the scutcheon is a cross-staff, to which is attached a vane of three streamers. Around is the inscription + SIGILLVM • HENRICI LE CALLERE. The initial H appears to be allusive to his Christian name. It was found in ploughing near Chard, Somersetshire. Two examples of this peculiar form of seal have been previously found. One, of rather more complicated contrivance, is in the possession of Mr. Evelyn Shirley, and it has been represented in the Archaeologia, vol. xxix., p. 400. It is the seal of Thomas de Prayers, probably t. Edward III. Another silver matrix, of small size, formerly in the possession of Mr. Bullock, of Liverpool, and constructed precisely like Mr. Bandinel's, bore a scutcheon of arms (three lions' heads, erased (?)), and the inscription + SIGILL' • BARTHOLOMEI • EDRICH.
By Mr. Ferrey.—Two singular inscribed bricks, found imbedded in the dwarf walls supporting the timber framing of the porch at Binfield Church, near Bracknel, Berks. The porch is of late Decorated work, attached to a building of mixed styles, Decorated and Perpendicular. The porch had evidently been reconstructed in later times, and in the course of this operation these-bricks had been used. Careful search had been made to discover the remaining portions of the inscription, of which these appeared to have formed a part.[1] The letters on one of them appear to read—benoth—on the other—ert hpe. They are cut in relief, seemingly with a knife, after the bricks were formed. Dimensions, 914 in. by
- ↑ It is hoped that further inquiry may enable us to give representations of these singular relics, with the addition of a further portion of the inscription, which has hitherto baffled conjecture.
