BULLA

A medieval lead papal bulla of Pope Urban V, whose papacy lasted from 1362 to 1370.
The obverse depicts the faces of St Peter and St Paul below the inscription SPASPE (SPA = Sanctus Paulus, SPE = Sanctus Petrus), all of which are surrounded by a beaded border, flanking the outside edge of the bulla. St. Paul is seen on the left looking right, with a long pointed beard, pointed-oval eye short grooved lines for hair. St. Peter is on the right facing left, with a rounded face and both beard and hair formed from pellets. Each is within a curving beaded border, joined to the main at either end. Between is a worn vertical ridge, possibly the remains of a cross and mostly lost through wear.
The reverse bears the legend .URB // ANVS//.PP.V. where the stops are lozenge-shaped, all within a beaded border. There is an omega above the 'PP', which is an abbreviation of pastor pastorum - meaning shepherd of the shepherds.
To the reverse the holes for the attachment chords are both damaged, that at 12 o'clock rather more so. This has a diameter c.1.5mm. The hole at 6 o'clock is rather squashed. The obverse of the bulla is quite worn.
It measures 36.0x34.9mm in diameter, 6.2mm in thickness, and weighs 51.21g.
Papal bullae were used as seals on official papal documents sent out from Rome (during the schism, Avignon) as a means of authentication. Tim Pestell has stated on other bulla 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". They may have also had a secondary use as an amulet.
Pope Urban V was born William de Grimoard in 1310 in the Languedoc region of France. Originally a Benedictine monk, he continued his lifestyle of simplicity and modesty even after his election as pontiff. Pope Urban V was the sixth pope at Avignon and campaigned during his papacy to return the office to Rome.