Rights Holder: The Portable Antiquities Scheme
CC License:
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Unique ID: DOR-E0FCDB
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation
A complete cast lead or lead alloy papal bulla of Pope Boniface IX (VIIII) dating to the Medieval period November 1389 - October 1404.
The front (recta) side of the bulla depicts the faces of Saints Peter and Paul with a cross between them. Over the images appears the abbreviation of St Paul and St Peter 'SPA SPE'. St. Paul is depicted with a long beard and a balding scalp with little hair, and St Peter has a crimped beard with curly hair formed from small sub oval pellets. Both heads are enclosed within a border of pellets (or pearls). There is a cross between the two heads. The reverse (verso) side of the bulla shows the name of the Pope, which is written in the nominative, with his abbreviated title (PP: Pastor Pastorum - Shepherd of the Shepherds) and ordinal number (VIIII). This is distributed over three lines: BONI / FIATIUS: / P P: VIIII. The F and I are ligatured. Both faces of the bullae are encircled with a border formed from a ring of pellets or 'pearls'.
Obverse: SPA SPE
Reverse: BONI
FIATIUS:
P P: VIIII
Diameter: 36.91 mm
Thickness: 5.27 mm
Weight: 43.61 g
The papal bulla is a mid grey cream colour with an even and well formed patina which covers all surfaces. The papal bulla is a formal seal of office used by the Popes to stamp and authenticate documents produced by the papal curia. Dr Tim Pestell has commented on other 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". Boniface IX is quite a prolific issuer of bulls but this seems to be the result of a relatively long pontificate. Pope Boniface IX was elected Pope on 2nd November, 1389, as successor of the Roman Pope, Urban VI; he died in Rome on 1st October, 1404.
Similar examples can be seen on the database: HESH-F307A6 and WMID-C8CC52
Class:
Pope Boniface IX (VIIII)
Inscription:
SPA SPE // BONI / FIATIUS: / P P: VIIII
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1389
Date to: Circa AD 1404
Quantity: 1
Thickness: 5.27 mm
Weight: 43.61 g
Diameter: 36.91 mm
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Other reference: SCMS 018074
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
4 Figure: SY8094
Four figure Latitude: 50.74525661
Four figure longitude: -2.2848315
1:25K map: SY8094
1:10K map: SY84SW
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
No references cited so far.