Seal impression (cast), of Bishop John de Lindsay

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal ad causas of John de Lindsay, Bishop of Glasgow, dating from around 1317.

The seal depicts a bishop in a niche flanked by two shields, one of which bears the Royal Arms of Scotland. The inscription 'S : IOHIS. DEI. GRA. EPI. GLASGUEN. AD. CAS' translates as 'Seal of John by the grace of God, Bishop of Glasgow ad causas'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Seals were used extensively from the 12th century in Scotland by kings, clergy, nobles and towns. In a society where few people could read or write, they provided evidence that documents were authentic.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-769-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  K.1999.902
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1317
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: S : IOHIS . DEI . GRA . EPI . GLASGUEN . AD . CAS
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 57 mm L x 41 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: John de Lindsay
  
• Where: Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the seal ad causas of John de Lindsay, Bishop of Glasgow, c. 1317
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 111, no 18 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 111, no 18. 
• Translations:
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