I dare say this idea of Mr. Boutell's may have been very ably refuted, by having pointed out the existence of the collar on a knight who is known for certain to have died prior to the reign of Henry IV.; but I must say that I have seen nothing in the Numbers of the current year which alters my opinion.
With reference to what MR. LEWIS EVANS says, at page 38., I beg to remark that he only assumes their dates from current report, for the dates are not on either of the tombs he mentions; and I think MR. EVANS is not a great studier of monumental effigies, otherwise he would not talk of a knight being dressed in "a coif de mailles and pointed helmet." I assume he means "a camail and pointed bascinet."
LLEWELLYN, at p. 81., makes mention of several, but of the only two upon which he ventures to fix a date, prior to Henry IV., one is "commonly ascribed," &c., and the other is "vulgarly called," &c., so that I place no reliance upon the truth of his deductions. Edwardus de la Hale, whom he mentions as No. 7., died, I think he will find, in 1431, and not 1421.
As regards the brass of Sir Thomas Peryent and lady, at Digswell, Herts, I may mention that although he wears a collar, yet I do not think it ought to be fixed as certain that it is that of the SS., for no letter, or portion of a letter, remains to prove it, although the collar which Lady Peryent wears is perfectly distinct.
I send you a list of a few more knights and ladies who wear this collar:
A.D.
1382. Sir Thomas Burton, at Little Casterton, Rutlandshire.
1407. Sir W. and Lady Bagot, at Baginton, Warwickshire.
1411. Sir John Drayton, at Dorchester, Oxfordshire.
1412. Sir Thomas Swynborne, at Little Horkesley, Essex.