383 Ring found at Amiens 383 Ring found in the tomb of William Rufus, Winchester Cathedral 385 Ring discovered in Winchester Cathedral 385 Ring of Childeric 386 Motto and device rings 390, 406 Posy-ring 391, 417 Inscription rings 410, 411, 412, 417 New Year’s gift ring 421, 422 Poison-rings 433 Dial-rings 452, 453 Signet-ring of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the Darnley ring 460 Supposed ring of Roger, King of Sicily 465 The Worsley seal-ring 467 Ring of Saint Louis 469 Ring-devices of the Medici family 472, 473 Ring found at Kenilworth Castle 474 Heraldic ring 481 Martin Luther’s betrothal and marriage rings 481, 482, 483 Shakspeare’s ring (?) 484 Initials of Sir Thomas Lucy, at Charlecote Hall 486 Ivory-turned rings 488 Squirt ring 494

 

 

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FINGER-RING LORE.

 

CHAPTER I.

RINGS FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD.

The use of signet-rings as symbols of great respect and authority is mentioned in several parts of the Holy Scriptures, from which it would seem that they were then common among persons of rank. They were sometimes wholly of metal, but frequently the inscription was borne on a stone, set in gold or silver. The impression from the signet-ring of a monarch gave the force of a royal decree to any instrument to which it was attached. Hence the delivery or transfer of it gave the power of using the royal name, and created the highest office in the State. In Genesis (xli. 42) we find that Joseph had conferred upon him the royal signet as an insignia of authority.[1] Thus Ahasuerus transferred his authority to Haman (Esther iii. 12). The ring was also used as a pledge for the performance of a promise: Judah promised to