By the Impression of My Seal’. Medieval Identity and Bureaucracy

A Case Study

Bibliographic Data

ID8889980
AuthorsPhilippa M Hoskin, Philippa Hoskin (0000-0003-3214-4853, University of Lincoln, corresponding author), Elizabeth A New (0000-0003-4755-3027, Aberystwyth University)
Year2019
Volume100
Pages190-212
Publication date2019-09-16
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Antiquaries Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0003-5815 • E-ISSN: 1758-5309
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s0003581519000015
OpenAlexW2902346025
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited16

This paper presents the results of a case study of wax seals dated between 1225 and 1250 from St Ethelbert’s Hospital, Hereford. When medieval matrices were impressed into soft wax, handprints were often left on the reverse of the seal. The use of modern forensic techniques to capture and compare these prints provides evidence about the process of sealing and its relationship to the individual matrix owner. Seals with the same print on the reverse could be impressed with different matrices, and impressions of the same matrix have different prints on the reverse. The impressing of the matrix was not, then, as has been claimed, the responsibility of the matrix owner as the only way to impress their identity into the wax. This evidence allows a reappraisal of administrative developments in sealing, and the separation of the process of sealing from both the performance of livery of seisin and the seal owner

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Art · Bureaucracy · Composite material · Forensic engineering · Identity (music · Impression · Matrix (chemical analysis · Political science · Politics · Seal (emblem · Wax · World Wide Web · Computer Science · Engineering · Historical and Archaeological Studies · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome · History · Law · Materials Science · Medieval Literature and History

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