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Description: | Lead seal matrix, now in two halves and with a little missing. Pointed oval in shape, it measures c. 37 mm long by c. 22 mm wide. On the reverse is a large unpierced lug. The central motif is a cross with two chevrons on each of the long arms. The legend around reads + S' RATCHELINEOV- - ICTI, with the C and H of Rachel doubtful, probably two letters missing and the final four letters also doubtful. Edward Martin has suggested that this should be read as Seal of Rachel (S' RATCHELI) with NEO possibly meaning 'I spin' and therefore Seal of Rachel the Spinster, or NEOV from Neovitas meaning 'serf', and perhaps finishing in Benedicti meaning 'of Benedict'. Rachel is not a common name in the Middle Ages and appears to be restricted to Jews. If Rachel was the serf of Benedict it is difficult to see why she had her own seal. This is an enigmatic and possibly quite important seal. | Format: | text/html | License: | http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Publisher: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Rights holder: | The Portable Antiquities Scheme | Subjects: | archaeology | Temporal: | 1200
1300 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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