Welsh Journals

A LATE SIXTEENTH CENTURY RAPIER FROM TREHESLOG. CWMTEUDDWR. DR. RICHARD WILLIAMS, F.S.A. IN volume six of the Society Transactions, on the occasion of a contribution in respect of a recent Radnorshire sword find, a hope was expressed that information might be forthcoming with regard to a sword found at Treheslog Farm. In September 1938 the writer was able to acquire from the represen- tatives of the late Stephen Williams a small collection of swords which had remained at Penralley since the death of that distinguished architect and antiquary. It was only after a long process of elimination that it was found possible to identify that it was the poorest specimen in the collection, and attach to it a Radnorshire provenance. The accompanying plate shows the weapon in its present condition, and it is to be feared that the average amateur cfarmes would give it scant consideration. To us however its long sojourn in Radnorshire gives it a sentimental interest which might be lacking in a specimen however immaculate if of extra-county origin. As it now exists the sword could be described as a Rapier of the closing years of the sixteenth century; and is as far as the hilt is concerned of English manufacture.