Seal impression (cast), of Bishop Walter

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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: 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
  Seal / cast
  
• 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. 
• Translations:
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