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Description: | A complete cast copper alloy seal matrix of Medieval date (c. AD 1250 - c. AD 1350). Length 25.0mm. diameter 19.0mm. Weight 9.86g.
The seal matrix has a circular die and a tapering handle which is hexagonal in cross-section. The handle terminates with a pointed suspension loop which has a circular perforation of about 2.5mm diameter. Between the hexagonal part and the suspension loop is a prominent circumferential rib.
At the centre of the cut die, within a beaded circle, is a device consisting of four beech-leaves in a cross shape, emanating from a central point. The top of the cross is at '12 o'clock', just beneath the initial mark at the start of the inscription. The initial mark consists of a five-pointed star. From an impression of the die the inscription reads, from right to left, *LEL AMI AVET (French: I have a loyal friend (in the sense of girl-friend or boy-friend).
Mrs Irene Szymanski has has made the following comments on a seal matrix from Humberside which has a similar device and inscription:
"Legend's meaning refers to friendship in the sense of a relationship between the sexes rather than a platonic friendship, an alternative translation for "ami" in this context would be "lover", although this does not necessarily imply a physical relationship - the word does not have an exact modern counterpart.
The system upon which this legend draws was known as "courtly love" (amour courtois), and as its name implies, it was love as befitting those of the court. The ethos permeated society in the 12th-14th centuries; although often thought of as a literary phenomenon, there is evidence for it in such items as seal matrices.
The reality of mediaeval marriages amongst those who frequented mediaeval royal courts was that marriage was a business transaction, arranged to maximize the financial and territorial benefits accruing to the parties involved. Children could be "married" well before their teens (but did not live together as man and wife until much later) and it was not uncommon for young girls to marry mature men, for unless a boy was the oldest son, he had to make his mark in the world and accumulate some wealth before marriage. Emotional attachment was rarely involved, and the couple had little voice in the matter.
Against this background, the system of courtly love developed. This was based entirely on choice; a man and woman would become "lovers" because they were attracted to each other. The relationship was a romantic one in the modern sense; gifts, poems and the like were exchanged, and the lovers expressed undying loyalty to each other. The ruler of this relationship was the woman, a displeased glance from her could cast the male into extremes of despair. On occasions, such relationships must have lead to a few unwanted children, but on the whole, they were effectively a social game.
This matrix fits squarely within this context; the legend is an expression of the love and loyalty a "courtly lover" would offer his beloved".
See Portable Antiquites Scheme find: IHS 54B227
The seal matrix is in fair condition and has a mid-brown patina. However, The edges of the die are slightly corroded.
Another seal matrix with a similar inscription is recorded by Saunders and Saunders and has been dated to the thirteenth century (Saunders P & E 1991, 34, fig. 7, ref. 23). However this matrix has a different device depicting crossed arms with hands and a bird (a ?dove) above.
There are also seal matrices with devices of cruciform leaves and similar inscriptions recorded on the Portable Antiquities Scheme database. | 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: | 1250
1350 | Source: | Portable Antiquities | Creator: | Frank Basford | Identifier: | http://www.finds.org.uk/database/artefac... | Language: | en-GB | Format: | text/html | Go to resource |
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