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Description: | A medieval lead alloy seal matrix. The matrix is a pointed oval shape with slightly damaged edges and is 27.3mm long and 17.9mm wide. There is an elongated quatrefoil in the centre of the die with the legend round the edge. On the reverse is a central raised rib with a curved raised line on either side of it, like a fleur-de-lis. At the bottom of the rib is a raised lug with a transverse hole forming a suspension loop. At the lug the matrix is 6.2mm thick. Irene Szymanski says: This is a typical "poor quality" 14th century matrix. The execution is fairly crude and the lettering is poor, being uneven, untidy, and frequently reversed. The legend is:S RIDI' FIL' ANGNETEfor "Sigillvm (Gal)FRIDI FILII ANGNETE"Galfridi is the Latinization of Geoffrey, here abbreviated. He may well have been known as "Fridi" because it was such a common name. Angnete is presumably his mother, and the modern equivalent of her name would be Agnes. The central device of the matrix is of no particular significance, it's just a memorable design, perhaps intended for a flower.
Original Image | Publisher: | http://finds.org.uk | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://finds.org.uk/database/artefacts/r... | Go to resource |
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