but in either case the same person is intended. As his name occurs in the deed among other witnesses of rank, he must have been a person of station, and, no doubt, a layman, as otherwise his ecclesiastical title would have been added. It must not, however, be concealed, in case this ring should be thought to belong to the fourteenth rather than the thirteenth century, that Aldemari mentions a Tomaso of the same family, who he says, "fù Armato Cavaliere dal Rè Roberto, per cui nel 1316, era non solo Mastro Ostiario del regno, mà anco Vice-Rè della Capitanata; fù Signer di Lorignano, Lazono, e Puzzolano." It only remains to be added, that the legend on the ring, Christus vincit, Christus regnat, Christus imperat, is found also on the series of Anglo-Gallic gold coins from the reign of Edward III. to that of Henry VI. inclusive; and probably other instances of its use might be pointed out.
Mr. Hewitt gave the following account of an early helmet, recently added to the Tower collection, and exhibited, by his kindness, on the present occasion.—"This helmet is of the well-known type seen on the seals of Richard I. and the English monarchs of the thirteenth century. Though somewhat differing from these in the arrangement of the apertures for sight and breathing, it seems safely assignable to the early part of the thirteenth century; and, as far as I know, it is the most ancient example of a medieval helmet yet on record. (A representation is here given.)
"A flat-topped helmet of nearly equal antiquity has been lately added by Lord Brooke to the interesting collection at Warwick Castle. It has been represented in the Journal of the Brit. Archæol. Assoc, vol. vi. The Warwick helmet differs in type from the one now exhibited, closely resembling those of the well-known effigies in the county of Durham; one of which is figured in Stothard's Monuments, and another in Surtees' Hist. of Durham.
"Much of the damage sustained by the Tower example has resulted from wantonness, and ignorance of its worth as an historical relic. It was latterly used by the peasants in their village festivities. The last relic of the grim Baron of the thirteenth Century—a sturdy extorter, perhaps, of Magna Charta—was lighted up with a candle, and made to figure at the top of the Maypole in rural merry-makings. This remarkable helmet presents a peculiarity in form, being convex over the face and ears, and slightly concave behind: a similar curved outline may be noticed in the helm seen in one of the sculptured spandrels of the arcade, in the Presbytery at Worcester, at the southern side of the choir. Compare also those of the knights figured by D'Agincourt, from a French MS. xiii. Cent. Plate 71.
"Another interesting acquisition has lately been made for the Tower collection, consisting of an iron-hooped cannon, with carriage and chamber; exhibiting with curious completeness the arrangement and accessories of a ship-gun of the earliest fashion. Unable to lay these relics on your table, I may be allowed to say that they will well repay a visit to the Tower, to any who are interested in antiquities of this class.
"The history of the relics is curious. Originally forming part of the armament of the Mary Rose, a vessel of the time of Henry VIII., they were lost in the wreck of that ship at Spithead, in 1545. In 1841 they were recovered by the diving operations of the Messrs. Deane, and subsequently presented by them to the South-Eastern Railway Company. Lost sight of subsequently, they were suffered to lie neglected on the shore at
