Amulet rings have been used by persons calling themselves Christians even in, comparatively, late times. Caylus gives one covered with letters of the twelfth century. The body of the ring is simple and square; each of its surfaces is completely filled with characters, skilfully engraved. The words are barbarous and the whole is senseless--the name of Jesus Christ abbreviated with the words Alpha, Adonai and Agla and the cross repeated appear here as they frequently do upon amulets. At the end of the lines, two Arabic characters are distinctly marked 7. I. These sort of characters did not pass, according to common opinion, from Africa to Spain until the tenth century; and it was through Spain that they were communicated to other parts of Europe. Rings of the shape of this one and for similar use often inclosed sprigs of some herb or hair or other light substance. The present one, however, is said to be solid and does not contain any foreign matter. A gold ring has been found in the palace at Eltham in Kent, England.[206] It is set with an oriental ruby and five diamonds, placed at equal distances round the exterior. The interior is plain, but on the sides is this inscription: Qui me portera exploitera Et a grand joye revendra. or, Who wears me shall perform exploits; And with great joy shall return. From these lines it is evident that the ring has been worn as an amulet; and there is a very probable conjecture that it may have been presented to some distinguished personage when he was on the point of setting out for the Holy Land, in the time of the Crusades. The inscription is in small Gothic letters, but remarkably well formed and legible. The shape of the ruby, which is the principal stone, is an irregular oval, while the diamonds are all of a triangular form and in their native or crystallized state. A ring of gold was found at Coventry in England. It is evidently an amulet. The centre device represents Christ rising from the sepulchre, and in the background are shown the hammer, sponge and other emblems of his passion. On the left is figured the _wound of the side_, with the following legend: “_The well of everlasting lyffe._” In the next compartment two small wounds, with “_The well of comfort_,” “_The well of grace_;” and afterwards, two other wounds, with the legends of “_The well of pity_,” “_The well of merci_.” On the inside is an inscription in Latin which embraces the amulet, having reference to the three kings of Cologne.[207] Sir Edmund Shaw, goldsmith and alderman of London, directed by his will _circa_ 1487, to be made “16 Rings of fyne Gold, to be graven with the well of pitie, the well of mercie and the well of everlasting life.”