Fig. 375.
A remarkably fine sword ([fig. 373]) was found in 1868 at Grimsthorpe. It is of iron, and remains encased in its bronze scabbard in a more perfect state than usual. The extreme length of the sword and scabbard, from pommel to chape, is thirty-one inches; the length of the scabbard from guard to point of chape, twenty-four inches. The breadth at the mouth is one inch and seven-eighths. The guard is of bronze, and is engraved on [fig. 374]. The scabbard is formed of thin plate bronze, and has an encircling band of the same material to hold the upper points of the chape to its sides. The length of the chape from the band is six inches and a half. The chape, which is exquisitely formed, is engraved on [fig. 375], and will be seen to be of unusual beauty. It is in a remarkably perfect condition, and, being formed of bronze (the scabbards of the period to which it belongs being usually of wood with metal chape and fittings), is of great rarity and interest. The chape had been set with six small, and one large, stones, as will be seen by the engraving. Some of these, which were probably garnets, were remaining. They had been affixed to their places by small rivets passing through their centres. A series of fifteen examples of Anglo-Saxon swords (figs. [376] to [390]) from illuminated MSS., etc., are here given for purposes of comparison. Some of these will be found to be of precisely similar form to those already given, and others, again, have trefoiled pommels.
Fig. 376.
Fig. 377.
Fig. 378.
Fig. 379.