SEAL MATRIX

A complete copper alloy medieval seal matrix. The handle is hexagonally faceted, its upper end terminating in a trefoil suspension loop with a collar below. The base is circular and its outer face features the engraved design of a coat of arms, surrounded by the inscription. The coat of arms consists of a shield divided quarterly with a tower or chessrook in the first and third quarters and a ring or annulet in the second and third.

Edward Martin (pers. com.) suggests that the inscription may read 'S W DE LA MOLEYRA CLC'. Martin comments 'the last three letters are unclear - in translation: 'the seal of W[illiam ?] de la Moleyra '. Moleyra or Moleyr appears to be a place in Gascony. The last letters might be a contraction of clerk.' Martin has located a French petition dating to AD 1330-1, which is held in the National Archives, Kew and mentions a William (Guilhem) de la Moleyra (ref: SC 8/283/14109). Although this matrix may not relate to the same individual, it does suggest that it may be of non-British origins.

Although small heraldic seals such as this one began to be used in the early 13th century, their popularity increased in the 14th and 15th centuries (Harvey and McGuiness 1996, 55-56). The elaborate nature of this example suggests a date towards the later end of this chronology.

Length: 32.89mm, width of handle: 10.00mm, thickness of handle: 9.10mm, diameter of base: 19.60mm, weight: 18.74g