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Secular Investiture by the Ring: Holy

A ring formed part of the investiture of three poets-laureate by the Chancellor of the University of Strasburg in 1621, who at their installation pronounced these words: 'I create you, being placed in a chair of state, crowned with laurel and ivy, and wearing a ring of gold, and the same do pronounce and constitute poets-laureate in the name of the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.' Gower, in his 'Confessio Amantis,' mentions a statue of Apollo, adorned with a ring :- Forth ryghte he straighte his finger oute, Upon the which he had a ringe, To seen it was a ryche thynge, A fyne carbuncle for the nones, Most precious of all stones.

In the early Saxon times, we read that Gumlaughr, the scald, presented to King Ethelred a heroic poem which he had composed on the royal virtues, and received in return ' a purple tunic lined with the richest furs,' also 'a gold ring of the weight of seven ounces.' In ancient Wales the Judge of the King's palace had as ensign of his office a gold ring from the Queen. It was his duty at his own cost to reward the successful competitor in the musical contests of the bards with a silver chair as 'Pen Cerdd' (chief of song), and who in return presented him with a gold ring, a drinking-horn, and a cushion. The royal minstrel received on his appointment a harp from the King, and a ring from the queen. 'Merchant Marks' (to which I have alluded in the first chapter of this work) originated from the guild or mayor's rings, which were used as personal signets, by such as were not entitled to bear arms. They were worn on the thumb for constant use in sealing. A fine ring of this kind is engraved in the 'Journal of the Archæological Institute.' It was found in the bed of the Severn, near Upton, and is, probably, a work of the fifteenth century; it is of silver and has been strongly gilt. The hoop is spirally grooved, and upon the circular face is a large H surrounded by branches. In the custody of the Mayor of Winchester is a signet-ring with the arms of the city and initials E. W., probably Edward White, Mayor in 1613 and 1621.