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

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

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Online ID:	000-180-001-784-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.1999.740
Date:	c. 1292 Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1292
Material:	Sulphur; brown; circular. Inscription: +IVHANNES DEI GRACIA REX SCOTTORVM
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.
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