BULLA

A complete lead papal bulla of Pope Boniface IX (c. AD 1350 to AD 1404), dating to the period AD 1389 to AD 1404, when he held the papacy.

The obverse bears an inscription of BONI/FATIVS/PP:VIIII, split into three lines, identifying it as a bulla of Pope Boniface IX. The pelleted border is mostly present, although it has been worn away at the top and bottom of the bulla.

The reverse depicts St. Paul is on the left of the seal looking right, depicted with a long pointed beard. St. Peter is on the right facing left and has a rounded face with beard and hair formed of pellets. Both faces are contained within beaded borders and separated from one another by a crozier. Across the top of the obverse, the inscription reads SPA SPE (an abbreviation of St Paul and St Peter. The pellet border around the outside of the obverse is mostly present, apart from at the top and bottom.

The edge of the bulla is plain and undecorated. The slot where the original cord, either silk or hemp, was located have been pushed closed.

The bulla has a diameter of 37.3 mm and is 5.8 mm thick. It weighs 46.4 g.

It is a light to mid grey colour, with an even surface patina.

The papal bulla is a formal seal of office used by the Popes to stamp and authenticate documents produced by the papal curia. Dr Tim Pestell has commented on other records: "Papal bulls came as two basic types, according to the contents of the document: Tituli, or "Letters of Grace", essentially granted or confirmed rights, conferred benefices or promulgated statutes. They generally had their lead bullae attached with cords of silk. Mandamenta, or "Letters of Justice" were mandates that conveyed papal orders, prohibitions or injunctions, and had their bullae attached by hemp threads". Boniface IX is quite a prolific issuer of bulls but this seems to be the result of a relatively long pontificate. I have 10 from the Diocese of East Anglia, although one is an unprovenanced example in Bury St Edmunds Museum. The bulla is therefore not unusual, although it was issued at a time when papal bullae were on the decline in terms of numbers issued".

Several similar papal bullae of Pope Boniface IX have been recorded on the database, including: SUSS-282956; WAW-C8D175; DENO-938AE1; BERK-47FAF2 and HESH-F307A6.