of St Andrews Cathedral, Fife

Seal impression (cast), of Bishop William Wishart

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the Privy Seal of Bishop William Wishart of St Andrews Cathedral in Fife, dating from around 1273.

The seal depicts St Andrew on his cross between two shields. The inscription 'S.SECRETI.WILLI.EPI.SCI.ANDREE' translates as 'Privy seal of William, Bishop of St Andrews'. The gold border is modern cardboard trim.

Seals were used extensively from the 12th century in Scotland by kings, clergy, nobles and towns. In a society where few people could read or write, they provided evidence that documents were authentic. Privy seals were generally used for grants of minor government posts or for preliminary grants of land which were later granted under the Great Seal.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-001-801-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.1999.980
Date:	c. 1273 Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1273
Material:	Sulphur; brown; oval; inscribed. Inscription: S.SECRETI.WILLI.EPI.SCI.ANDREE
Dimensions:	34 mm L x 29 mm W
What:	Seal / cast
Subject:
Who:	Bishop William Wishart of St Andrews
Where:	Scotland, Fife, St Andrews
Event:
Description:	Oval, brown sulphur cast of the secret seal of Bishop William Wishart of St Andrews, inscribed `S.SECRETI.WILLI.EPI.SCI.ANDREE` and depicting St Andrew on his cross between two shields, c. 1273
References:	Stevenson and Wood, i, p.85, no.20 Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 85, no. 20.
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