EXAMPLES OF MEDIEVAL SEALS. IN a former volume of the Journal the intention was expressed, to collect from time to time, for the gratification of those who take an interest in Mediæval Seals, notices of such unpublished examples as may be brought before the Institute.1 A scheme for the general arrangement of Seals was moreover offered, which, as we have had the satisfaction to be assured, has proved acceptable to the student of this branch of archaeology, and tended to encourage the appreciation of the subject, as a valuable auxiliary to general and personal history.2 In resuming the proposed collection of materials for the History of Seals, we must advert with pleasure to the increasing attention recently given, both in our own country and on the Continent,3 to a class of Mediæval Antiquities, valuable not less as examples of the progress of Art, than as authorities, of the highest authenticity, and by aid of which, historical truth may frequently be established. The hope may, as we believe, be entertained, that at the British Museum, where so much has recently been done towards a suitable illustration of National Antiquities, an extensive collection of impressions from English Mediæval Seals may speedily be formed, available for public gratification and instruction. 1. Leaden Bulla of Raimond du Puy (del Podio) of a noble family in Dauphiny, Custos, or Grand Master of the Order of St. John in Jerusalem, or Hospitallers. He succeeded Gerard, the first custos, on his decease, about A.D. 1121. In that year Raimond addressed letters to solicit the succour of the faithful throughout Europe, accompanied by a Bull conceded by Pope Calixtus II. He compiled the first statutes of the order, and 1 Arch. Journal, vol. viii. p. 74. 2 To the observations, ibid, pp. 73, 74, in explanation of that scheme, the author of it requests to add a further practical direction, analogous to what is there said of seals being assumed to be lay, which do not show themselves to be ecclesiastical; viz. that in like manner all seals must be assumed to be personal, which do not on the face of them appear to be otherwise. 3 In regard to foreign researches on the subject of seals, we may specially invite attention to the establishment at Paris, of a" Société de Sphragistique," and to their monthly Bulletin, of which the second volume will speedily be completed. The annual subscription is only 15s., and this publication forms a useful record of all information brought before the Society. The "Sphragistische Aphorismen," by the learned Lepsius, which appeared in the Transactions of the Thuringo-Saxon Antiquarians, at Halle, in 1842-3, well deserve attention; as also the History of Seals in Germany, by Dr. Melly, of Vienna, and the works of Vossberg on the Seals of Prussia and the cities of Northern Europe, published at Berlin. formed a systematic code for its regulation; he was eminently distinguished by valour and military skill, in the interminable struggles with the infidel, of which Palestine and Syria were the scene, in the twelfth century. Raimond appears to have been living in 1158, and he died about 1160.* The interesting relic, of which representations are here given, was found under the walls of Norwich Castle, and it is now in the valuable cabinet of Norfolk antiquities, in the possession of Mr. Robert Fitch, of Norwich, to whom we are indebted for its exhibition. On the obverse appears the custos kneeling at the side of a patriarchal cross; the legend being,RAIMVNDVS CVSTOS HOSPITALIS HIERVSALEM. On the reverse is seen a church with three domes, doubtless intended to pourtray that of the holy sepulchre, so represented that the interior is shown, and the tomb of our Lord within the church, a cross being placed at the head, a lamp, or corona, suspended above, and an object, possibly intended for a censer, swinging at the foot of the tomb. The legend is :- HOSPITALE DE HIERVSALEM. The establishment of the Hospitallers, it will be remembered, was adjacent to the Church of the Sepulchre; and existing remains of the building are described by Mr. Williams in the "Holy City," vol. i., p. 391. 2. Leaden Bulla of Raimond Berengarius, a native of Dauphiny, who succeeded Roger de Puis, in 1365, as Grand Master of the Hospitallers. In that year he commanded the fleet, united with that of Peter, King of Cyprus, in the expedition against Egypt. In 1374, his advanced age Bulla of Raimond Berengarius, Grand Master of the Hospitallers 1365-1374. prevented his attendance at the great assembly of the Order at Avignon, where he was represented by his lieutenant, Fernandès de Hérédia, and the Statutes of the Order were settled. Berengarius died in Nov. 1374." On this curious bulla the primitive design is retained, but modified: the badge of the cross may be perceived, though very indistinctly, upon the shoulder of the kneeling custos: at the sides of the patriarchal cross before him are introduced the letters Alpha and Omega; the Oriental domes of the church are converted into Gothic tabernacles. The recumbent figure beneath the fragment of architecture, intended to represent the church, 4 Art de Verifier les Dates, tome II. edit. 1818, p. 106. Statuti del Sacro Spedale di S. Giov. Borgo Nuovo, 1674. 5 Art de Verif. les Dates, tome II. p. 112, from Sebastian Paoli and Paciaudi. Paoli, in his collection of the Statutes of the Order, states that he died in A.D. 1373. |