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Description: | Medieval lead alloy seal matrix of a rural dean. The basic matrix is cast with a design added by chip carving. It is a small, flat, pointed oval (vesica) matrix with a lug on the back. The matrix is 36.6mm long by 23.9mm wide by 3.1mm thick and weighs 12.7 grams. The lug is at the top corner, indicating the orientation of the seal; it stands out at right angles to the back and is semicircular in plan with flat sides; it is 8.8mm long by 6.9mm wide by 3.8mm thick.
The central motif of the seal is a tonsured monk facing right (left on the impression) with a crescent above. The inscription has a roman N. It reads: *S' DECANAT' D CRAKELADE.
This is a deanery seal used by the rural dean of Cricklade in North Wiltshire. Blair (2007) published a rural deanery seal and discussed their introduction and use. He states: "Rural deaneries were the subdivisions of archdeaconries and the smallest unit of ecclesiastical governance above the parish level. The evolved slowly during the 12th and 13th centuries, holding a range of disiplinary and executive functions." (p289). In 1237 the papal legate Otto decreed those who held office for a limited term, such as rural deans should used seals with the name of the office rather than personal seals naming the individual. This seal must therefore date after that point and is likely to date to the later 13th or early 14th century.
Various deanary seals have been recorded on the PAS database including BERK-84C6C7 which has a similar design to this example. | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Burnett, Laura - Portable Antiquities Scheme | Identifier: | http://www.findsdatabase.org.uk/hms/pas_... | Language: | en-GB | Go to resource |
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