BULLA

Medieval papal bulla of uncertain date. The bulla has been worn on both faces but, sadly, most severely on the obverse, making it almost impossible to see the name of the issuing pope. The reverse design of medieval bullae remained the same from those of Paschal II (1099-1118) until Paul II (1464-71), that is depicting the heads of SS Paul and Peter within pelleted aureoles, with a cross in between and the legend SPASPE above. The reverse die was retained by successive popes, being changed only occasionally, and so it is impossible to date a bulla accurately on the basis of the reverse only. However, the reverse die used on this bulla features a more angular aureole to the upper left of St Peter. This can be observed on bullae from the first half of the twelfth century until apparently changed for a new reverse die under Alexander III (1254-61).

The obverse requires orientation by comparison with the reverse, and preserves only the faintest traces of lettering elements, most prominently an open V-shape on what must have been the top line of the legend. The faint curve of what at some angles of raking light is possibly the top serif of an S is at the left-hand side of the second line. However, this would not fit with the letter combinations of any possible papal candidates, and it would instead have to represent to top serif of a more open letter such as a G for Eugenius III (1145-53) or a C for Lucius III (1181-5). Given the open shape of the V surviving, its wedge-shaped stroke and the limited letter combinations of popes using bullae with the angle aureole around St Peter the most likely identification is that this represents a bulla of Lucius III. As such, this represents a relatively rare bulla, being only the third recorded in the Diocese of Norwich.

Weight 35.932g. The orientation of obverse and reverse dies cannot be determined due to wear.