Rights Holder: Hampshire Cultural Trust
CC License:
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Unique ID: HAMP-38D344
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A silver post-medieval seal matrix with oval-shaped matrix, the handle behind hexagonally faceted and extending into a fleur-de-lis terminal 3.7mm thick, the central element of which has a 3.9mm diameter piercing. This part has a small knop extending from its centre and the other two elements extend into curled ends. A hexagonally-faceted band of three ribs divides the fleur-de-lis terminal from the matrix.
The matrix depicts a shield at its centre, 'Or on a chevron between three demi lions gules three trefoils Or, with a crescent in chief'. The crest is a Bull's head caboshed argent gutty sable (Clive Cheesman pers.comm. October 2015). There is a small area of damage on the edge below with evidence of tooling marks.
The seal matrix stands 27.4mm in height and the matrix measures 19.5x17.0mm. It weighs 11.39g.
Notes:
Clive Cheesman, Richmond Herald, comments of this seal matrix 'The signet shows the arms and crest confirmed to the Rev. Dr Edward Layfield (or Leyfield), Archdeacon of Essex, in 1639. The same arms and crest were previously used by a family called Leyfield residing at Stoke D'Abernon in Surrey, but that line became extinct in the male line in the mid sixteenth century and I think this item is too late for that. Furthermore the crescent in the upper portion of the shield is very prominently done on the signet and this was the distinguishing feature of the arms confirmed to Dr Layfield in 1639. He was a prominent churchman of his age, being son of Achbishop Laud's half sister, and was vicar of All Hallows Barking, whence he was temporarily removed by the parliamentary party for his views. A mid- to late-seventeenth-century date for the object fits stylistically, I think. But its findspot in Hampshire might suggest that it was used by Edward Layfield's son the Rev. Dr Charles Layfield, a resident prebendary of Winchester Cathedral who died in 1715 (leaving a quarter of his estate to the poor inhabitants of four places, one of which was Winchester and another was Chilbolton, also in Hampshire). His charitable bequest was challenged but upheld by the courts and the Charity Commissioners devised a scheme to secure it for the future, described here in their report of 1826.
Given that Charles Layfield died three hundred years ago this year I think the status as treasure is secure'.
This has been noted as an interesting find by the recorder.
Current location of find: Hampshire Cultural Trust
Subsequent action after recording: Donated to museum after being declared Treasure
Treasure case tracking number: 2015T736
Broad period: POST MEDIEVAL
Period from: POST MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1639
Date to: Circa AD 1715
Quantity: 1
Length: 27.4 mm
Height: 27.4 mm
Width: 19.5 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight: 11.39 g
Date(s) of discovery: Sunday 6th September 2015 - Sunday 6th September 2015
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Other reference: Hampshire Cultural Trust Entry Form WINCM 155
Treasure case number: 2015T736
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
No references cited so far.