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Description: | A cast copper-alloy seal matrix of Medieval date. It has a flat circular die with hexagonally faceted conical terminal that tapers to a lozenge shaped suspension loop with circular aperture. An S-shaped link from a separately cast copper-alloy wire chain is present and pendant from the suspension loop. At the centre of the die is what appears to be a squirrel or hare with human face and a mitred head facing right, all within an inner circle. Surrounding the device is a legend reading *SOHOV LEVESKE. This seal measures 17.64mm in height, 15.41mm in diameter, and weighs 5.19g.The use of non-heraldic motifs and non-personal legends is typical of seal matrices from the 14th century onwards (Harvey and McGuinness, 1996: 88). The word 'sohou' in the legend is a French hunting cry, or meaning 'I ride', found on seals of this period and Harvey and McGuinness (1996: 89) note that the hunting satire was a popular theme. The second half of this inscription is perhaps more interesting. The word 'leveske' or perhaps 'l'eveske' might be interpreted as a derivation of the French l'eveque (in old French 'l'evesque') for Bishop, particularly if the character on the die is wearing a mitre. This might therefore be a satire for hunting Bishops. Another alternative, although perhaps less likely, relates to the name l'Eveske that is encountered in the Jewish community in England during the 13th century (R. B. Brown and S. McCartney 'The Internal Exile of Medieval English Jewry' in The Medieval History Journal 6, 2003: 72). One particular individual carrying this name was Elias l'Eveske (c. before 1200-after 1259 AD) who was leader of the Jewish community, archpresbyter and a prominent figure in Henry III's court charged with implementing extensive, sweeping Royal taxations. The result was the division of the Jewish community in England and led to his eventual downfall as a result of fraudulent activity and attempted murder that saw him convert to Catholicism (see R. C. Stacey 'Eveske, Elias l'' Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, 2004). Potentially the legend on this seal may represent a hunting satire directed at this or a similar individual. Whichever may have been the case, this seal matrix is of probable 14th century AD date if not slightly earlier in the later 13th century.
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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