of burgh of St Andrews, Fife

Seal impression (cast)

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the Privy Seal of the burgh of St Andrews in Fife, dating from the 15th century.

The seal depicts a boar chained to a tree. According to legend, a Greek monk bearing the remains of St Andrew was shipwrecked in Scotland in a thickly wooded area inhabited by wild boars. The inscription 'SIGILLUM : SECRETU : CIVITATIS : SANCTI : ANDREE : APOSTIT' identifies the type of seal and its association with St Andrews. 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. Privy seals were generally used for grants of minor government posts or for preliminary grants of land which were later granted under the Great Seal.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-001-745-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.1999.851
Date:	Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 15th century
Material:	Sulphur; brown. Inscription: SIGILLUM : SECRETU : CIVITATIS : SANCTI : ANDREE : APOSTI
Dimensions:	61 mm D
What:	Seal / cast
Subject:
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Fife, St Andrews
Event:
Description:	Brown sulphur cast of the Privy Seal of the city of St Andrews, depicting a boar chained to a tree, 15th century
References:	Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 80, no 258 Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 80, no 258.
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