SEAL MATRIX

A near complete but eroded cast copper alloy pedestal / pendant seal matrix of medieval date (1250-1400). The die is broadly circular in plan whilst the reverse pedestal rises to a suspension loop. The body of the matrix is a pedestal formed from six irregular tapering sides. At the apex would have been a moulded band surmounted by a single loop. This is lost and the pedestal is distrorted - the break is however old and patinated suggesting the damage occurred in antiquity. A larger oval scar is present on one face of the pedestal and it is likely this obscures a mark which would have aided orientation during use. The die / seal face is well preserved but the edges are heavily abraded resulting in the partial loss of the inscription. The central device of the seal depicts the head of an antlered stag facing forwards (caboshed) ; between the antlers is a horizontal bar which may have once formed a cross. Either side of the head (at the neck) is a crescent shaped moon (left) and a six pointed star (right). The inscription is lost - elements surviving read: [.] IDE Many other examples have a inscription that reads - + TIMETE DEVM (Fear God) and it is likely that this inscription forms part of a 'stock phrase' rather than personalised inscription. The matrix is of a mid greenish brown colour with an even but corroded patina. This type of seal is dated to the late thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, 1250-1400 . The stag's head with cross represents the visions of St Hubert (8th century) and St Eustace (2nd century). Harvey and McGuinness attribute anonymous personal seals of this form to the 14th century, and cite 'TIMETE DEVM' as one of the pious phrases commonly employed (1996: 88). Close parallel can be seen on the PAS database from Gatcombe, Isle of Wight (NARC-4337A5).

Irene Szymanski - in some of her PAS records notes:

The seals device refers to the legend of St Hubert or St Eustachius (Eustace). Very little is known of the life of Eustachius; according to his 7th c. legend, he was a pagan Roman general of the Hadrianic period (117 A.D.-138 A.D.). One day, he saw a stag coming towards him with a cross between its antlers; a voice told him simultaneously that he would suffer for Christ's sake. He and his family converted to Christianity, and were later martyred by being baked in a brass bull. Hubert's life is better documented. Born circa 656, he was the eldest son of the Duke of Aquitaine of the day. A great huntsman, with little taste for religion, he was out hunting one Good Friday when the stag he was pursuing turned to face him, and told him to mend his ways; at the same moment, he saw a cross between the beast's antlers. Under the stag's direction, he sought out Lambert, bishop of Maastricht, who accepted him as a pupil. Shortly afterwards. Hubert's wife died, and he renounced his rank, distributed his wealth in alms and became a priest in Lambert's diocese. In time, he became bishop of Liège, dying circa 727. He was widely venerated in the mediaeval period as the patron saint of hunters; his intercession was also thought to cure rabies. Legend is commonly impersonal, e.g., "prive sv/sui", a pious invocation ("timete Deum", IHS-AF6692) or a lover's declaration ("lel sy", IHS-AF57E6). The occasional personal name is also encountered (IHS-AF7042). Relatively little information can be gleaned with reference to the original owners; there is certainly no guarantee that they was involved in hunting in a professional capacity. A similar matrix was used by a teller of the Exchequer in 1329 (see Ellis ref.).

The seal matrix measures 16.1mm high, and the die has a diameter of 18.8mm. The seal matrix weighs 6.76 grams.