Record ID: BERK-C3D976
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy circular heraldic seal matrix (13th century). The reverse is flat (thickness: 2.16mm) with a pierced lug (thickness: 6.68mm). The central motif is of a lion rampant (a lion raised up on its hindquarters facing right). The inscription is in Lombardic script and reads: +S'GALFRIDI D'MARCHAM. Seal of Geoffrey of Marcham. Even deep green patina. Diameter: 22.30mm; weight: 5.90g.
Created on: Monday 7th March 2005
Last updated: Sunday 18th March 2018
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ardley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-A86477
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Medieval lead seal matrix (13th - 14th century). The seal matrix is a pointed oval; traditionally these belonged to women and clerics. The reverse is flat with a raised rib; if there was originally a pierced lug it is no longer present. On the die the inscription reads "SIGNVM:SALVTIS" (literally 'Sign of Salvation') The central motif is a curvilinear pattern that comprises a diamond at the top with two curving lines beneath. Below this is a pair of ring and dots and in between these an elongated triangle extends to the bottom of the motif. There is a dot on both sides and one below…
Created on: Monday 10th October 2005
Last updated: Sunday 19th January 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Cuddesdon', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-900AF7
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Medieval lead seal matrix (13th – 14th century). The seal matrix is flat and circular with a perforated lug on the reverse. Some damage has occurred to the lug in that it has been slightly crushed and distorted out of shape. The central motif on the circular die is a bird facing left. The legend reads: S' WILLI[????]CAVR, Seal of William – the surname is obscured. Dimensions: Thickness 9.27mm; Diameter 25.58mm; Weight 18.80g
Created on: Friday 21st October 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'South Oxfordshire', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-EDC4A8
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A Medieval copper alloy seal matrix (14th century). The seal matrix is circular with a conical handle that is hexagonally faceted. The conical handle ends in a trefoil terminal that has a central perforation. There are two grooves just below the terminal. The inscription reads "IESVS MERCI"; this is a generic seal matrix as opposed to one that is specific to an individual. In the central field is a stag with a cross caught in his antlers - the symbol of St Hubert of Lieges and also St Eustace, both of whom saw a vision of a stag with a crucifix between its antlers. Identification…
Created on: Monday 21st March 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Woodstock', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BERK-B95FE6
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Oxfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper alloy clerical seal matrix (13th-14th century). A flat pointed oval seal matrix with a pierced lug rising from a raised rib on the reverse. The die has a central seated figure facing front holding a smaller figure depicting the Virgin Mary breast-feeding a Christ child. There are three towers above the two figures and precede the inscription: S' RADVULFI PRISVNDON or DRISVNDON. Seal of Ralph of Prisundon or Drisundon. Dark green patina with some traces of silvering on the reverse. Dimensions: length: 35.54mm; thickness: 6.92mm; weight: 20.03; thickness of lug: 12.04mm.
Created on: Tuesday 12th April 2005
Last updated: Tuesday 14th January 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Steventon', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-B84392
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy seal matrix of medieval date. Personal seal, possibly of John or Johan Marchis, dating from the fourteenth century AD. The printing face is circular and measures 25.2mm in diameter. It is slightly worn and corroded. The printed image shows a flower or star with four petals or points of equal dimensions. The central image is contained within a circular border and is a monogram with the stylised letters "I" and "M" laid back to back. These are evidently the initials of the owner. Within each of the four petals is a different picture. These are unclear but some appear to s…
Created on: Saturday 29th January 2005
Last updated: Thursday 7th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Ashridge', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-B8CAC5
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead seal matrix of medieval date. An unusually small non-heraldic personal seal probably dating from the mid to late 13th century AD. The object is of a pointed oval shape and measures just 23.3mm high by 13.8mm wide and 2.8mm thick. It is corroded but has little wear and produces a good print. The central panel has a simple design consisting of a single, vertically orientated branch. The legend reads: + S' REG. FIL GILB (Seal of Reginald son of Gilbert). There is a small and corroded unpierced lug handle which is located at one of the two angles on the reverse. The object weighs 6.40g.
Created on: Saturday 29th January 2005
Last updated: Saturday 22nd February 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Odell', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-B0DBB5
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A copper-alloy seal matrix of medieval date. Non-heraldic seal probably dating from the 14th century. The die is circular and measures 18.7mm in diameter. The handle tapers upwards and is hexagonal in section. The terminal has three lobes and a central circular hole. The seal has a central image of a cross and a single wavy line below and, below this, the letters "IHS". The legend reads "EST AMOR MEVS", which translates as "Jesus is my friend". The object is slightly bent but is otherwise in good condition. It measures 27.7mm high and weighs 9.27g.
Created on: Tuesday 22nd February 2005
Last updated: Thursday 7th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Lidlington', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-5877F4
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
An incomplete and distorted medieval lead-alloy seal matrix. The matrix is pointed-oval in plan, with an engraved fleur-de-lis device at the centre of its die. The legend surrounds this design and, when printed, appears to extend clockwise from 12 o'clock. Damage has rendered this legend largely indecipherable and the only legible part is the beginning, which reads ' +S' ('Seal of'). A moulded latin cross decorates the reverse of the matrix, surmounted by a perforated lug handle, and an angled rim marks the perimeter. Height:36.3mm; width: 22.8mm; thickness: 3.4mm. Weight:12.35…
Created on: Monday 12th September 2005
Last updated: Tuesday 17th April 2018
Spatial data recorded.

Record ID: BH-E3FCD2
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
A lead seal matrix of probable mid to late 13th century AD date. A vessica-shaped personal seal matrix of Richardi Clerich. The object is slightly bent, worn and corroded. It measures 30.6mm long by 22.2mm wide and 3.2mm thick. The central image of a fleur-de-lys sits within an indented border. When printed, the legend runs clockwise and reads: + SIGILL.RICARDI CLERICI. The name Clerici derives from Clerk, meaning a book keeper or member of the clergy. This form of the name, along with several variations, came to designate any literate man and was widely adopted as a surname. The…
Created on: Tuesday 25th October 2005
Last updated: Saturday 22nd February 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Baldock area', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-102C20
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A vessica-shaped lead seal matrix of probable mid to late 13th century AD date. The object is heavily worn and corroded and is crudely-made. The central image depicts a fleur-de-lys and the legend around the outside appears to read: + S'EL.......FRICA. On the reverse, a central rib terminates at the top in a lug handle with a central hole. The object measures 34mm high by 21.5mm wide and 5.4mm thick. The weight of the object is 17g.
Created on: Thursday 27th October 2005
Last updated: Thursday 7th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Kensworth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C37C34
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Norfolk
Workflow stage: Published
A copper-alloy pointed-oval seal matrix of probable mid to late 13th century AD date. It has a central image of a neatly engraved detailed fleur-de-lis. On the reverse is a central rib and a circular lug, which is located at the bottom, suggesting that the central motif was added upside down.The legend runs clockwise when printed, starting at the top of the fleur-de-lis; there is no initial mark. It has been read as SIG RAN LE COLTE (seal of Ran Le Colte, with Ran identified as a French forename) but there is an apostrophe after the S and the G looks more like a C or and E. The L of …
Created on: Tuesday 29th November 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th September 2015
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Foxley', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-C6B861
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Bedford
Workflow stage: Published
A lead seal matrix of probable early 13th century AD date. The object consists of a circular disc measuring 33.5mm in diameter by 2.6mm thick and with a suspension loop at the top. The corroded and damaged disc has a central image of a fleur-de-lys (with a distinctive central feather or beech-leaf design) within a circular line border. When printed, the legend runs clockwise and reads: + S:WILLELMI:CLERICI (seal of William Clark). Overall, the object measures 46.5mm high by 33.5mm wide and weighs 18.92g.
Created on: Tuesday 29th November 2005
Last updated: Saturday 22nd February 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Bedford', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-840BC4
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Hertfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
Approximately two thirds of a heavily corroded and damaged vessica-shaped lead seal matrix of probable mid to late 13th century AD date. The central image appears to depict a fleur-de-lis and the illegible legend runs around the outside. On the reverse there is only a remnant of the lug handle. The object measures 23.8mm long by 19.1mm wide and 3.7mm thick. It weighs 9.41g.
Created on: Thursday 8th December 2005
Last updated: Thursday 7th February 2013
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Baldock', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-18C6B0
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Cambridgeshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead personal seal matrix of mid to late 13th century date. The seal die is pointed-oval and flat, and has a projection at the top containing a horizontal attachment hole. The object is worn, bent and corroded. It measures 44.1mm high by 25.5mm wide and 5.6mm thick. The central image sits within an indented border and, when printed, depicts a man standing on the left hand end of a boat, facing right and steering the boat with a long rudder pole. A second figure, possibly a child, sits at the centre of the boat. The legend runs around the outside and reads: SIG.........N.S.BARVN (one…
Created on: Thursday 15th December 2005
Last updated: Wednesday 25th November 2015
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Royston', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-ADB501
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Published
A lead personal seal matrix of probable 13th century AD date. The die is circular and contains the central image of a fleur-de-lis within a circular border. The legend does not start at the top of the design and reads + S: RICI.SCORICh (Seal of Richard Scorich). On the reverse is a small lug handle. The object is corroded. It measures 19.7mm in diameter by 7.3mm thick and weighs 6.3g. The surname has no obvious modern parallel.
Created on: Thursday 22nd December 2005
Last updated: Sunday 16th February 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Kensworth', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BH-D1D3B3
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A lead seal matrix of medieval date. Personal seal, probably dating from the 12th to 13th century AD. The object is vesica-shaped and measures 37mm long by 23mm wide and 2mm thick. It has a central image of an eight-pointed star and a deeply-incised legend around the outside, which reads: X S'SIMON - WITTARC (Seal of Simon Wittarc). On the reverse is the raised design of a sword-shaped cross. This extends the whole length of the seal and at one end there is a squashed suspension lug with a central circular hole. The object is slightly bent and corroded. It weighs 12.91g.
Created on: Wednesday 13th April 2005
Last updated: Sunday 16th February 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Astwick', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BUC-8D9612
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Buckinghamshire
Workflow stage: Published
A pointed-oval medieval lead seal matrix. The central motif appears to be a lily with a long leafy stalk; a groove forms the stalk, there are three petals at the top, and three evenly spaced pairs of triangular leaves down the stalk. There is a small groove crossing the stalk close to the base. There may be a slight groove separating the inscription from the central motif, but without an impression it is hard to be sure. Steven Ashley has kindly helped with the reading of the inscription. He writes "The inscription appears to be +. S'hENRICI OLER, or the seal of Henry Oyler, maker …
Created on: Thursday 27th January 2005
Last updated: Tuesday 22nd September 2015
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Wendover', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BUC-D20A91
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Central Bedfordshire
Workflow stage: Awaiting validation
A worn, circular copper alloy seal matrix, with a conical, hexagonally faceted handle. The handle has a perforated trefoil knop, with mouldings where it joins the body of the matrix. the central motif is a bird of prey perching on the back of a smaller bird which looks back at its attacker. There is a dot between the two birds and a dotted border runs around the motif and the inscription.  The legend reads ALAS JE SUPRISE - = Alas I am caught. A popular legend for hunting scenes and the handle style is more complex than most of its type. [Pers comm Dr Elizabeth New]
Created on: Friday 30th September 2005
Last updated: Thursday 24th February 2011
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Eaton Bray', grid reference and parish protected.

Record ID: BUC-BD1FA4
Object type: SEAL MATRIX
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
County: Buckinghamshire
Workflow stage: Published
Copper alloy circular seal matrix, with waisted, hexagonally faceted, handle. This terminates in a single collar topped by an intact circular suspension loop with matching perforation. Device: on a plain background a squirrel in profile holding a nut in its paws, facing left, separated from the legend by the remains of a simple line. Measurements: face 15.74 mm diameter, handle 17.84 mm high. A matrix with a similar motif was found in the excavations at Bedern, York in an early to mid 14th century floor level. Squirrels were sometimes seen in medieval art as women's pets, and a bawdy …
Created on: Friday 23rd December 2005
Last updated: Sunday 19th January 2020
Spatial data recorded. This findspot is known as 'Creslow', grid reference and parish protected.