The Funeral Ring
In Queen Elizabeth’s time one Sir Edward Killey was supposed to have
given out 4000 pounds worth of gold rings as gifts at the marriage of
one of his maid-servants. One would think–would one not–that this
would easily take first position as the most widespread practice in
the volume bestowal of rings. Of course-- though reason might dictate
this kind of thinking when analyzing the above facts–one would be
wrong. Yes dear readers…each and every one of you coming to this
conclusion would be wrong.
So then Benjamin…you may all well say…so then…please pray tell
us…which ring was it that was the most commonly widespread
bestowal gift of the Renaissance? We are dying to know Benjamin. We
will never again drink another sip of cool mountain water…we will
never again close our eyes in sweet slumber…till you tell us what we
need to know. Ahh…how can I…as a human being…refuse this
request. Do I want to see my reader slip away from thirst… or worse
yet…sleep deprivation? Nay nay…for then who will be left to read
Tidbits. And so…here are the facts lads and lassies.
It was the Funeral Ring…a morbid thing to behold indeed. Ah…the
never ending quest for immortality…or at least remembrance…will
it ever be quenched? That piteous longing to linger in the minds of
the living when one has gone on to the next level of existence…or
non-existence–whichever the case may be–will it ever be sated? The
answer is nope. No way honey bunny. Ain’t gonna happen. I was here and
you better remember.
And so the Ring came into being. A coffin on top…supported by a
skeleton. The inside of the shank was inscribed with the name and date
of death of the owner. On the top…inside the coffin…would be a
small memento. A lock of hair perhaps. It is said that the ring is the
Jack-of-all-trades when it comes to jewelry. A ubiquitous trinket to
fill every whim and fancy.
Of course…there is this question…which remains unanswered in my
source but which stirs the embers of curiosity in my mind. When the
owner kicked the bucket…who wore the ring with the lock of hair. A
son? A daughter? A husband perhaps? Or a wife? Did they take turns. I
get to wear Daddy this week…and you get to wear him next week…ad
infinitum.
Well folks…in the deep hope I offended no one…I offer you a
glimpse of our ring. I took it from a line drawing…I yellowed it
up…it’s there now for you all to see.
For those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits…may I
direct you to my home page at www.tyler-adam.com where you will
scroll down the table menu till you get to the box that says
Tidbits…and inside the box where it says Tidbit Graphics…click on
the link that says: Ring…where you will see a rendering of the
Funeral Ring.
And there ya have it.
That’s it for this week folks.
Catch you all next week.
Benjamin Mark