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the seal of iElfric , one of the most powerful of the Anglo-Saxon nobles in the 10 th century . The " Penny Magazine " of 1832 informs us that the seal was found by a labourer in digging a bank near Winchester ; but it is evidently mistaken in supposing that iElfric was only

Sir , —I have the pleasure of presenting to your readers , especially those of the Craft who take an interest in Masonic antiquities , an engraving of

an earl . Strutt , in his history of the Anglo-Saxons , vol . i ., p . 411 et infra , relates that iElfric was intrusted to command the Anglo-Saxon fleet , when this country was threatened by an invasion of the , Danes , who took advantage of the feeble sovereignty of " Ethelred the Unready . " JsifVic had succeeded his father in the dukedom of Mercia ; three years afterwards , he was exnelled from England . In

992 , he was appointed to lead the new fleet , and to surprise the Danes in some port in which they could be landlocked . This judicious scheme was foiled by iElfric ' s treason . He apprised the enemy of the intended enterprise , and consummated his perfidy by joining them . The Saxon fleet , nevertheless , with the characteristic bravery of the land from whence it sailed , attacked the Danes , and defeated them . iElfric , with difficulty , escaped , and the king avenged his treachery by putting out the eyes of his son Algur . -

In 1000 , Ethelred basely butchered all the Danes , their wives , and even infants , living in England under a solemn peace . Svein , King of Denmark , assembled a fleet to take vengeance for the massacre ; and Ethelred , with an infatuation equalled only by his cruelty , appointed this very iElfric to command the forces raised for the defence of the country . The Danes landed at Exeter , in 1003 , and carried fire and sword even into Wiltshire , where the Anglo-Saxons , under iElfric , met him ; and at the moment the armies were about to engage , iElfric pretended illness , and declined the combat . Enraged and disorganized ,

his army retreated m disgrace . Dr . Ormerod , in his history of Cheshire , states that IElfric was killed in battle with the Danes , in 1016 . The seal before us shows iElfric wielding the sword of his dignity . The dukes and earls of the Saxon times were powerful indeed within the territories committed to their charge : their power was almost regal ; they had the sole command

of the military forces within their bounds ; their persons were held so sacred that even to lay hold of a weapon in their presence , in challenging another , was punishable with a heavy fine . Hence , we see the sword represented here ; and it was from the vast power conveyed and represented by this warlike emblem , that William the Conqueror gave his kinsman Hugh Dupuy the noble palatinate of Chester , with its regal privileges of creating barons , to hold by the dignity of the sword of Chester , which sword , by the way , is now in the British Museum .

While we admit and lament the crimes of iElfric , we must confess he was a Mason . The marks of such are undeniably evident to every member of the Craft . It will be seen that they were displayed 850 years ago as now , and that they are engraved with more neatness of execution than the letters on the legend . Dr . Oliver , in his edition of Preston ' s " Masonry , " informs us , that after the death of King Athelstane , Masonry in England was at a very low ebb , and no wonder ,

torn as the country was by intestine convulsions and the almost incessant devastations of Danish invaders . But in 960 an attempt was made by St . Dunstan to raise the drooping fraternity , and he partially succeeded . It shows in what high estimation the dignity of the Craft was held at the time , when iElfric , one of the most powerful nobles of England , proudly displayed the landmarks of the Order on the very legend surrounding his diadem and sword of dominion , even next to the adored Cross itself . —Yours fraternally , " Giles dk Collimoiie . "