90 NOTES ON A BONE OBJECT.
this country is concerned, this point has not been satis-
factorily determined. All the examples found under my obser-
vation have come from deposits of the Middle Ages. We have
definite evidence that they were in use during the 12th century
from the striking and graphic description of London 4 by Fitz-
Stephen, the biographer and clerk of Thomas a Becket, who
writes:—
"When that great marsh which washes the walls of the city on the north
side is frozen over, the young men go out in crowds to divert themselves upon the
ice. Some, having increased their velocity by a run, placing their feet apart
and turning their bodies sideways, slide a great way: others make a seat of
large pieces of ice like mill-stones, and a great number of them running before,
and holding each other by the hand, draw one of their companions who is seated
on the ice : if at any time they slip in moving so swiftly, all fall down headlong
together. Others are more expert in their sports upon the ice: for fitting to
and binding under their feet the shinbones of some animal, and taking in their
hands poles shod with iron, which at times they strike against the ice, they are
carried along with as great rapidity as a bird-flying or a bolt discharged from a
cross-bow."
FIG. II.—BONE SKATE OR SLEDGE-RUNNER FOUND AT STIXWOLD FERRY,
LINCOLN (NATIONAL MUSEUM AT EDINBURGH).
Two examples of bone skates from Moorfields are here shown.
Fig. 13a is highly polished and worn from much use. Fig. 13b
has been but slightly used, but is interesting, as it shows that
the under surface was first prepared by filing it flat.
The only point of agreement between bone skates and the
objects we are considering is that the bones used are similar in
both cases, being mostly meta-carpals or meta-tarsals of horse
or ox. The manner of cutting and piercing in the case of the
ordinary skate is totally distinct, while the use to which the
bones have been put is clearly shown by the way they are worn
and polished. The two skates first mentioned are rather ex-
ceptional, and it is somewhat difficult to understand the manner in
which they are pierced, as the holes would seem to have interfered
with their running easily on the ice. It will be seen, however
3 Stephanides, see Thoms' edition of Stow's Survey of London, 1842, p. 215.