Seal impression (cast), of James I

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the reverse of the 2nd Great Seal of James I, dating from around 1424. Great Seals were used primarily for grants of land.

The seal depicts the king as a knight on horseback, galloping to the right. The design resembles that of his father Robert III, but with small differences in detail and background. The incomplete inscription would have translated as 'James by the grace of God, king of the Scots'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

James I spent 18 years in captivity in England before he was ransomed in 1424. His biggest problem on returning was to control the nobles. He was murdered in 1437 in a conspiracy led by the Earl of Atholl.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-791-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.1999.758
• Date: c. 1424
  Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1424
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown; circular. Inscription: IACOBVS DEI ... SCOTORVM
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 110 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: James I of Scotland
  Young Collection
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the reverse of the 2nd Great Seal of James I of Scotland, depicting the king as a knight on horseback, c. 1424
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.11 no.44 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 11, no. 44. 
• Translations:
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