Medieval English seal matrice depicting cleric at desk

Code: 11203

This is an interesting medieval bronze seal, dating to the 13th - 14th century. The seal is of a 'chessman' type, engraved with a central device of a cleric seated at his desk (penning a vellum document or illumination). This is a rare subject to be found on a seal, but indicates the occupation of the original owner, a learned man of letters! It bears an inscription in a Lombardic script, reading as "*S'HERMAINI LE ALIGALI CLERICI" (Seal of Herman the legal cleric?). The seal was originally found in a garden in Steyning Sussex (not far from the church), King Edward the Confessor granted his royal minster church in Steyning, with its large and wealthy manor lands, to the Abbey Church of the Holy Trinity at Fécamp, it is likely a seal that was owned by a legal scribe, it is in good condition and worthy of further research. 

OBJECT: Seal Matrice

CULTURE: Medieval

DATE: c. 13th - 14th century A.D.

MATERIAL: Bronze

SIZE: 22.23mm x 22.36mm 

WEIGHT: 14.29 grams

PROVENANCE: Found in Steyning Sussex.