SEAL MATRIX

A complete, cast, copper-alloy, medieval seal matrix dating to c.AD 1200-1350.

Oval face with hexagonal handle tapering to a single collar comprising of three circumferential bands, a trilobe suspension loop, delineated by two grooves in the uppermost part and a central circular aperture. On one of the outer sides of the handle is a small pattern consisting of a row of three circular indentations in an arc and above is an additional circle with a shallow gently tapering tail. The engraved die face carries the inscription: +SAVNTA MARGARETI / St Margaret which surrounds the design of St Margaret of Antioch. St Margaret rises from the stomach of a dragon. In her left hand, she holds a cross-staff, the end of which rests in the open mouth of the dragon, whose body forms a curve across the bottom of the image. On Margaret's right, there is a large vertical palm frond, a symbol of her martyrdom. The device is separated from the legend by a beaded line.

Measurements: 24.43 mm x 19.42mm, height is 26.96 mm weight is 13.40g.

Discussion (after IHS-4D55B8)

St Margaret's cult was a Pre-Conquest one in England; her Vita (Life) being of a similar date. In point of fact, it was declared apocryphal as early as the end of the 5th Century, but this did nothing to curb people's enthusiasm for her. Margaret's supposed relics appeared in Italy in the 10th century, and she became enormously popular in the period of the Crusades and later. The daughter of a pagan priest of Antioch around about the time of Diocletian (284-305 A.D.), Margaret was taught Christianity by her nurse. She caught the attention of Olybrius, governor of Antioch, but she refused his advances due to her faith. Olybrius attempted to convert her to his pagan beliefs by a number of tortures, including a flogging so severe that her bones were exposed, incarceration and burning; Margaret remained undaunted and converted 5,000 bystanders. The Devil visited her in the form of a dragon whilst she was in jail and swallowed her; she made the sign of the cross and its stomach burst open, freeing her unharmed. Olybrius eventually had her beheaded, the normal (if less exciting), method of execution at the time. The enormous popularity of Margaret's cult in the medieval period may have been due, at least in part, to promises that she made before she died. Amongst these were that anyone reading her life would receive a crown in Heaven, those who invoked her on their deathbed would escape the attention of devils, and those who burned candles in her honour would receive anything useful they prayed for. Another of her promises was to assure the safe delivery of those women who prayed to her whilst pregnant, a promise which gained her the devotion of women generally.

Discussion

The cult of St Margaret was predominate in the East Midlands, such signs may very well have been associated with the former church of St Margaret at Ketsby, where an image of St Margaret was still attracting notable offerings in 1529 (Spencer 1990, Lewis 2013). However, this find from Whaplode is geographically closer to the famous Minster and Priory Church of St Margaret, King's Lynn. An even closer medieval Church in Quadring is dedicated to St Margaret of Antioch.

References cited

Lewis, M. 2013. Pilgrim signs of St Margaret of Antioch: some thoughts on their spatial distribution, Medieval Archaeology 57, 280-283.

Spencer, B 1990, Pilgrim Souvenirs & Secular Badges, Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Part 2, Salisbury: Salisbury & South Wiltshire Museum