Leaf-shaped swords of the ordinary type also occasionally had their hilts attached in the same manner. Fig. 347 shows a blade from the Thames,[1052] near Kingston (16⅛ inches) with the rivet-holes thus arranged. I have another, from the Hugo Collection (18 inches), found in the Thames about a mile west from Barking Creek,[1053] which has had four rivet-holes arranged in the same manner, though the margins are now broken away, so that only traces of the holes remain. Another apparently of this type was found in Lincolnshire.[1054]
In Canon Greenwell’s Collection is a leaf-shaped blade of the same character (15¾ inches), which, however, has only two rivet-holes, one on each side of the hilt-plate. It was found at Sandford,[1055] near Oxford, together with a rapier-shaped blade.
Another variety has a narrower tang and rivet holes in the median line. A blade of this kind, which is in Mr. Layton’s Collection, was found in the Thames at Greenwich, and is engraved in the Archæological Journal.[1056]
Before proceeding to the consideration of the swords with more perfect hilts and pommels found in England, it will be well to give references to some of the other instances of leaf-shaped swords found in this country and in Wales. Several have been found in the Thames[1057] besides those already mentioned. Others have been discovered in the Isle of Portland;[1058] at Brixworth,[1059] Northamptonshire; and in the sea-dike bank between Fleet and Gedney,[1060] Lincolnshire. Two, one with the chape of the scabbard, of which more hereafter, were found at Ebberston,[1061] Yorkshire.
Two were found at Ewart Park,[1062] near Wooler, Northumberland, one of which is in the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Some fragments of swords, regarded as being of copper, were found, with spear-heads, celts, and lumps of metal, at Lanant,[1063] and also at St. Hilary, Cornwall, about the year 1802.
There were also some fragments in the Broadward find,[1064] Shropshire, which consisted principally of spear-heads and ferrules. Occasionally a considerable number of swords are said to have been found together. No less than twenty are reported to have been discovered about the year 1726 near Alnwick Castle,[1065] in company with forty-one socketed celts and sixteen spear-heads; and two broad swords, one sharp-pointed sword, a spear-point, and a socketed celt were found “in a bundle together” at Ambleside, Westmoreland,[1066] about 1741.
Two swords, some spear-heads, celts, and other relics were discovered at Shenstone,[1067] Staffordshire, in 1824. Near them are said to have been some fragments of human bones. Some swords are reported to have been found in a marsh on the Wrekin Tenement,[1068] Shropshire, with a celt and about one hundred and fifty fragments of spear-heads.
Two swords and a fragment of a third were found in the Heathery Burn Cave, in company with numerous bronze and bone instruments and a gold armlet and penannular hollow bead. Most of these objects are now in the collection of Canon Greenwell, F.R.S. Three swords were found at Branton, Northumberland, and are now in the Alnwick Museum; where are also two which had pommels of lead, and were found with two rings near Tosson, parish of Rothbury, in that county. Another, which was also accompanied by two rings, were found near Medomsley, Durham. These rings may in some manner have served to attach the swords to a belt.
Most of the swords found in Wales appear to be in a fragmentary condition. Engravings of some leaf-shaped swords are said to exist on a rock between Barmouth[1069] and Dolgellau, North Wales.