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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: SOM-2CF0B5
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An abraded Medieval lead seal matrix dating to CE 1200-1350. The seal matrix is pointed oval (vesica shaped) in shape. The front of the matrix is engraved with an eight point star or flower within an inner border which follows th shape of the seal. Between the inner and outer line borders is an inscription starting with a plain cross and reading + S' RICARDI BULE... (seal of Richard Bule...) The final letter(s) cannot be read. The reverse has a raised rib running down the centre with a squashed loop at the upper end (opposite the cross at the start of the inscription).
The seal is 30.2mm by 17.8 by 4.8mm thick and weighs 10.37g.
Crude lead personal seals with simple non-heraldic designs are thought to date to the 13th and early 14th centuries (Harvey & Mcguiness 1996: 79-80).
There is a posibility that the seal was owned by a Richard Le Bule, one of a family who was living and renting land in the surrounding areas of Westonzoyland in the early 13th Century. There is a record in 1211 of a Richard Le Bule owing rent to Mulchelney Abbey for a smallholding on Andersea near Westonzoyland (VHC Somerset VIII, pg. 196) and a Richard Le Bule (presumably not the same one) was a Reeve of Glastonbury Abbey in Middlezoy, Westonzoyland and Otherey in 1275.
Class:
personal
Sub class: man
Inscription:
+ S' RICARDI BULE...
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1350
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 30.2 mm
Width: 17.8 mm
Thickness: 4.8 mm
Weight: 10.37 g
Personal details
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Other reference numbers
Other reference: SCC receipt 17766
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Somerset (County)
District: Sedgemoor (District)
Parish or ward: Middlezoy (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST3732
Four figure Latitude: 51.08384262
Four figure longitude: -2.90080532
1:25K map: ST3732
1:10K map: ST33SE
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvey, P.D.A. and McGuinness, A. | 1996 | A Guide to British Medieval Seals | London | British Library and Public Record Office |
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Timeline of associated dates
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