Seal impression (cast), of William I (William the Lion)

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the obverse of the Great Seal of William I (William the Lion) dating from around 1165.

The seal depicts the king seated on his throne, carrying an upright sword in one hand and an orb with a cross on top in the other. He wears a tunic with sleeves, a long mantle which is fastened at his throat and a cap-shaped crown. The legend 'WILLELMUS DEO RECTORE REX SCOTTORVM' translates as 'William with God as guide, King of the Scots'. 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. Great Seals were used primarily for grants of lands.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-001-724-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1999.730
Date:	c. 1165 Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1165
Material:	Sulphur; brown; circular. Inscription: WILLELMUS DEO RECTORE REX SCOTTORVM
Dimensions:	83 mm D
What:	Seal / cast
Subject:
Who:	William I Young Collection
Where:
Event:
Description:	Brown sulphur cast of the obverse of the Great Seal of William I, depicting the king seated on his throne, c. 1165
References:	Birch, Walter de Gray. History of Scottish Seals from the eleventh to the seventeenth century..., vol. I. The Royal Seals of Scotland. Stirling and London: Eneas MacKay and T. Fisher Unwin, 1905, pp 23-4. Stevenson and Wood, i, p.3 no.10 Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 3 no. 10.
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