Seal impression (cast), of David II

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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 II, dating from around 1329. Great Seals were used primarily for grants of land.

The seal depicts the king as a knight on horseback, galloping to the right. He wears a full face helmet. The king's coat, his shield and the horse's trappings all bear the Royal Arms. The inscription 'DAVID DEI GRACIA REX S...TORVM' translates as 'David by the grace of God, King of the Scots'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

David II, son of Robert the Bruce, became king in 1329 when he was only 5 years old. As a result, his portrayal as a knight on the seal is more symbolic than real at this date. The image of a king on horseback on royal seals dates back to the earliest royal seals.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-785-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.1999.747
• Date: c. 1329
  Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1329
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown; circular. Inscription: DAVID DEI GRACIA REX S...TORVM
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 110 mm D
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: David II
  Young Collection
  
• Where:
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the reverse of the Great Seal of David II, depicting the king as a knight on horseback, 1329
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.7 no.30 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 7, no. 30. 
• Translations:
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