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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: NLM-4D3573
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Published 
Copper alloy seal matrix, lentoid or vesica-shaped (pointed oval), with a raised rib and suspension lug on the reverse. The central motif is an engraved device of a winged and maned quadruped walking right when the pierced lug on the reverse is held to the left, but rampant when it is held the conventional way up with the lug to the top. On the impression the animal appears to have a bird's head and so may be a gryphon, a mythical beast symbolising martial virtues.
The inscription is not easy to read. Held with the lug to the left, it appears to read (below the motif) [?I]NRI DEO.Z [possibly for Jesus of Nazareth king of the Jews and God], and above it ECOTECE [possibly an imperative, and if in or derived from French reading, Hear!, or Listen! to Him, or to this].
When held the conventional way up, it appears to read alternatively FRANGE LEGE TEGE, a common anonymous inscription meaning Break, Read, Keep Secret. The first E of LEGE is at the base of the matrix.
Length: 28.5mm, Width: 17.8mm, Thickness (clear of rib): 2.7mm, Weight: 6.06g. Medieval,14th century.
Inscription:
FRANGE LEGE TEGE
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1300
Date to: Circa AD 1400
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 28.5 mm
Width: 17.8 mm
Thickness: 2.7 mm
Weight: 6.06 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Monday 12th March 2012
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: NLM20062a
Materials and construction
Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: Yorkshire and the Humber (European Region)County or Unitary authority: North Lincolnshire (Unitary Authority)
District: North Lincolnshire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Redbourne (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: SK9498
Four figure Latitude: 53.470355
Four figure longitude: -0.585353
1:25K map: SK9498
1:10K map: SK99NW
Grid reference source: Centred on field
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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