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Description: | A lead-alloy (or copper-alloy) seal matrix of Medieval, 14th century AD, date. This matrix is Vesica-shaped (pointed oval shaped), flat and appears to have an incomplete suspension loop at the base of the matrix in the same plane, rather than a suspension loop being positioned on the back of the matrix. At the centre of the matrix is a single design, described in Read, B. 2001 as a fleur-de-lis. See Read, B. Metal Artefacts of Antiquity: A Catalogue of Small Finds from Specific Areas of the United Kingdom. Volume I. 2001, p.74-81, fig.51, no.613 & 615. This symbol is relatively common, particularly but not exclusively in association with female themes. This is due to the fleur-de-lys some times being associated with the Virgin Mary.Weight is 11.47g, incomplete length is 31.57mm, width is 22.40mm, thickness is 3.03mm."The legend reads: + S' AGNES FIL' ALIS. The S' is an abbreviation of the Latin word 'Sligillum' meaning seal or seal of. Following the first mentioned name Agnes is a letter that possibly looks like a P but this letter is more likely to be an F with serifs followed by the letters I L, the L being followed by an abbreviation mark. This Fil' would read in full 'filiae'. Filia is daughter, filiae is genitive case 'of - daughter'. The last name is a bit more difficult to read but seems to start with A and the last letter is S although it could also be read as E with exaggerated serifs. The middle letter is fainter and a bit damaged, but is probably an L and I run together giving ALIS, which we would spell as Alice today, as the final name. Translated the legend reads: + Seal of Agnes daughter of Alis (Alice?)". Carolyn Wingfield (Saffron Walden Museum, Essex).
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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