Seal impression (cast), of David 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 Great Seal of David I, dating from around 1124. Great Seals were used primarily for grants of land.

The worn and broken seal depicts the king as a knight on horseback. He wears a conical helmet and carries a gonfanon (flag) with three streamers. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

David I was the son of Malcolm III and Margaret (later Saint Margaret). He spent many years as a youth in the English court. He became King of Scots on the death of his brother Alexander I in 1124. During his reign he introduced many English customs and ideas.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-783-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.1999.737
• Date: c. 1124
  Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1124
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown; circular
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 65 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: David I
  Young Collection
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the reverse of the Great Seal of David I, depicting the king as a knight on horseback, c. 1124
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.3 no.7 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 3, no. 7. 
• Translations:
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