Seal impression (cast), of Alexander II

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the obverse of the Great Seal of Alexander II dating from around 1214.

The seal depicts the king on a cushioned throne. He wears a tunic, with a mantle fastened at his throat and hung over one knee. In one hand he holds a grooved sword, while in the other an orb with a long cross. The legend '+ ALEXANDER..EO RECTORE:REX:SCOTTORVM' translates as 'Alexander 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: 000-180-001-726-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.1999.732
• Date: c. 1214
  Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1214
  
• Material: Sulphur; red; circular. Inscription: + ALEXANDER..EO RECTORE:REX:SCOTTORVM
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 93 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Alexander II
  Young Collection
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Red sulphur cast of the obverse of the Great Seal of Alexander II, depicting the king on his throne, c. 1214
  
• 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, p 26. 
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.4 no.12 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 4 no. 12. 
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