of Glasgow

Seal impression (cast), of Bishop Walter

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the 1st round seal of Walter, Bishop of Glasgow, dating from around 1207.

The seal depicts a bishop facing to the right, holding a crozier. The inscription 'SIGILL' : WALTERI DEI : GRA : GLASGVENSIS : EPI' translates as 'Seal of Walter, by the grace of God, Bishop of Glasgow'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Seals are evidence of the paperwork involved in running a complex organisation. They were signs of the medieval Church's huge authority, combining the functions of signature and logo to show that documents were genuine.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-001-797-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.1999.896
Date:	Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1207
Material:	Sulphur; brown. Inscription: SIGILL' : WALTERI DEI : GRA : GLASGVENSIS : EPI
Dimensions:	80 mm L x 51 mm W
What:	Seal / cast
Subject:
Who:	Walter, Bishop of Glasgow
Where:	Scotland, Lanarkshire, Glasgow
Event:
Description:	Brown sulphur cast of the seal of Walter, Bishop of Glasgow, depicting a Bishop, c. 1207
References:	Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 109, no 5 Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 109, no. 5.
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