“Omnibus in morem tonsa coma pressa corona,
Cornea bina ferunt præfixo hastilia ferro;
Pars leves humero pharetras; it pectore summo
Flexilis obtorti per collum circulus auri.”
It is first mentioned in Roman history in the year 360 B.C., when Manlius, having torn a torque of gold from the neck of a vanquished Gaul—here is evidence of its being a decoration worn by a similar race to our ancient British population before being spoken of in Roman history—placed it on his own, and received, from this circumstance, the name of Torquatus. From this time the practice was adopted in the wars with the Gauls—the example set by Torquatus Manlius being frequently followed by the Roman leaders,—and the torque being adopted as a reward for military merit. “The Roman writers speak of them as worn by the Britons; and the Queen of the Iceni, Boadicea, is described by Dion Cassius as having a torquis of gold round her neck. This was the metal of which they were usually made. They consisted of a long piece of gold, twisted or spiral, doubled back in the form of a short hook at each end, and then turned into the form of a circle.” The torque was known to, and worn by, the Egyptians, the Persians, Persepolitans, the Gauls, and the Britons, as well as, later on, to the Romans, and it was very usual, as is evident by the many examples which have been found, with the Irish celts. The most usual forms will be found engraved in the catalogue of the Royal Irish Academy, the largest known example measuring five feet seven inches in length. A remarkably fine example of this type, found on the borders of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, measures three feet nine and a quarter inches. Many other varieties are found, sometimes formed of square bars of gold twisted spirally, sometimes of flat bars of the same metal twisted in a lighter manner, and sometimes, again, of more than one bar twisted together. The ends, too, are of various forms: sometimes being simply hooks, and at others swelling out into cup-shaped terminations, and at others partaking of the form of a serpent’s head, etc. A very remarkable torque, now belonging to Her Majesty, was found in 1848 in Needwood Forest, and is here engraved ([fig. 322]). It is formed of eight cords of gold plaited together, and weighs 1 lb. 1 oz. 7 dwts. and 10 grains. Another example of a different character, from Ireland, is here given ([fig. 323]).
Fig. 322.
Fig. 323.
Side View
It is safer, perhaps, although there is no doubt that torques were worn by the Romans, to assign them to the British period than to that of their conquerors. Much, however, necessarily depends on the remains found with them, and the locality where discovered.
Other personal ornaments, and bone and bronze pins, hair-pins, etc., are occasionally found, but need no special notice here. Instruments of the toilette, too, are occasionally discovered. Prominent among these is the mirror, or speculum, which is sometimes found in the graves of Roman ladies. Among the most interesting of these are some found in a Roman cemetery at Plymouth. They consist of a circular plate of polished metal, generally of bronze set in a frame of the same metal or otherwise, and have a handle to hold them by. They are of much the same form as the small handled toilet glasses of the present day. The back was generally, as in the case of the Plymouth examples, “ornamented with a considerable quantity of scroll engraving. The pattern of one of these consists of three circular figures, the two bottom ones being larger than that which I take to be the central top one. Although each circular scroll differs from the others, they are evidently figured upon one general plan; the lines within, being segments of circles of various sizes, form crescents with various modifications. Some portions of the engraving, in order to give solidity to its character, were filled in with numerous striated spots, consisting of three lines one way and three lines at right angles to them. The entire surface of the mirror was surrounded by a narrow border or rim, which was formed of a separate piece, and folded over the margin. This specimen was damaged in many parts, particularly upon the under surface, and some of the edge was entirely eaten away, but where the rim was preserved the plate was not only in good preservation, but not even oxidized, retaining the bright colour of the bronze as perfectly as when, probably, in use by its ancient possessor. A second had the handle attached to it. The handle is cast in one piece in the form of a loop, having been made by folding one half back against the other, and securing them in that position by a band, the two free ends being spread out to hold the mirror, which is received in a groove, and supported on each side by a scroll work of bronze, of much of which, although lost, the impression still remains upon the plate. The greater diameter of the mirror is eight inches, that of the handle of the duplicate specimen, which is supposed to be of the same size as the missing handle, is four inches.” Several of these mirrors have been found in the cemeteries at Colchester and in other places.
Combs, both of wood and bone, are also found in the interments, as are strigils, tweezers, locks and keys of numberless forms and sizes, remains of small caskets, and a great many other articles. Of combs I shall say a few words when speaking of those of the Anglo-Saxon period.
Horse-shoes of this period are occasionally met with in interments when the horse has been buried with his rider, or otherwise. One example, so as to show the form, will be sufficient. It was found at Gloucester some years ago, along with the lamp and circular fibulæ here engraved, and with other relics of the same period. Of the other articles it will not be necessary to make further mention.