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A gold ring has been found in the palace at Eltham in Kent, England. It is set with an oriental ruby and five diamonds, placed at equal distances round the exterior. The interior is plain, but on the sides is this inscription:
Qui me portera exploitera Et a grand joye revendra.
or,
Who wears me shall perform exploits; And with great joy shall return.
From these lines it is evident that the ring has been worn as an amulet; and there is a very probable conjecture that it may have been presented to some distinguished personage when he was on the point of setting out for the Holy Land, in the time of the Crusades. The inscription is in small Gothic letters, but remarkably well formed and legible. The shape of the ruby, which is the principal stone, is an irregular oval, while the diamonds are all of a triangular form and in their native or crystallized state.
A ring of gold was found at Coventry in England. It is evidently an amulet. The centre device represents Christ rising from the sepulchre, and in the background are shown the hammer, sponge and other emblems of his passion. On the left is figured the wound of the side, with the following legend: "The well of everlasting lyffe." In the next compartment two small wounds, with "The well of comfort," "The well of grace;" and afterwards, two other wounds, with the legends of "The well of pity," "The well of merci." On the inside is an inscription in Latin which embraces the amulet, having reference to the three kings of Cologne. |
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