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SPURS AND HOOF-PICK.
263

shape, two of iron (figs. 99, 100), and one of bronze (fig. 101).

fig. 99 fig. 100 fig. 101

'Had they been found unaccompanied by objects so exclusively Roman,' remarks Mr Roach Smith, 'they would, and with reason, have been called Norman or late Saxon.' These spurs are remarkable for their short neck or 'prick,' which is even less than the Anglo-Saxon specimens, and much more so than those of a later date. C. Caylus[1] figures an ancient bronze spur with apertures at the ends of the branches to fasten it on, like those represented in this bronze relic from Hod Hill.

At Shefford, in Bedfordshire, what was called a hoofpick was encountered with Roman relics: 'Of Roman relics no place in Bedfordshire has furnished the quantity or quality equal to Shefford. About four dozen Samian cups, dishes, and pateræ of various shapes and patterns have been there discovered, and at Stanford Bury, in its immediate vicinity. A vast variety of other reliquiæ were found with these; some splendid articles in glass, a beautiful radiated amber-coloured vase, quite perfect; a splendid blue jug, or simpulum, of elegant form, and the sacred knife that accompanies the simpulum on the reverses of coins of Antoninus and other emperors, as emblems of the impe-

  1. Recueil, vol. iii. plate 9.