Seal impression (cast), of John I (Balliol)

Add to album

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the obverse of the 1st Great Seal of John I, dating from around 1292. Great Seals were used primarily for grants of land.

The seal depicts the king on an elaborate throne, holding a sceptre with a foliate head. On either side are shields, the one on his right with the arms of the family of Balliol, the one on his left with a lion rampant. The inscription '+IVHANNES DEI GRACIA REX SCOTTORVM' translates as 'John by the grace of God, King of the Scots.' The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

John Balliol ruled Scotland between 1292 and 1296 under the authority of Edward I of England. Balliol's rebellion against this position led to Edward's invasion of Scotland in 1296. John Balliol was stripped of his kingship and eventually settled in Picardy where he died.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-180-001-784-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.1999.740
• Date: c. 1292
  Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1292
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown; circular. Inscription: +IVHANNES DEI GRACIA REX SCOTTORVM
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 107 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: John I (Balliol)
  Young Collection
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the obverse of the 1st Great Seal of John I (Balliol), depicting the king on his throne, c. 1292
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.5 no.20 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 5, no. 20. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: