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Description: | A copper alloy circular medieval seal matrix which is 16.8mm in diameter. The reverse of the matrix is slightly convex with a raised central rib expended into a semi-circular lug at one end with a small circular hole through it. The matrix is 7.1mm thick at the lug. The legend is bordered by a beaded line on both side and runs round the central device. Irene Szymanski says: The matrix has an odd device - it looks like a hunting dog in front of greenery. It may possibly be intended for the forests where it was used to hunt. The legend isn't dreadfully clear, but appears to read: *SIGILLLV:CEGRET_ There has been an attempt to get rid of the third L (the word should be SIGILLVM= the seal of). I think the letter after the colon, which appears as C, is really a reversed D (not uncommon) and the legend should be read as SIGILLV[M] : DE GRET[A]. Greta (from Margaret) is obviously a female name, and this mish-mash of Latin and French sometimes turns up on nuns' matrices as these ladies knew no Latin, but normally spoke French. An example of this on the database is IHS-EA45A6.Helen Geake writes: Another possible reading of this seal matrix is as SIGILLV. CECRETI, possibly a mis-spelled version of SIGILLUM SECRETA or secret seal.
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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