Record

Seal impression (cast), of Bishop William Fraser

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of St Andrews

Postcard of Seal impression (cast), of Bishop William Fraser.
000-180-001-803-C
© National Museums Scotland

Seal impression (cast), of Bishop William Fraser

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal of William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews, dating from around 1292.

The seal depicts the bishop in a carved Gothic niche. The fragmentary inscription 'S'WILLI:FRASER:DEI GRA SCOTTORV:E...' identifies the bishop. 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: 000-180-001-803-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.1999.981
Date: c. 1292
Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1292
Material: Sulphur; brown; vesica; inscribed. Inscription: S'WILLI:FRASER:DEI GRA SCOTTORV:E...
Dimensions: 82 mm L x 53 mm W
What: Seal / cast
Subject:
Who: William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews
Where: Scotland, Fife, St Andrews
Event:
Description: Vesica-shaped, brown sulphur cast of the seal of William Fraser, Bishop of St Andrews, inscribed `S'WILLI:FRASER:DEI GRA SCOTTORV:E...` depicting the bishop in a niche, c. 1292
References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p.85, no.22 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 85, no. 22. 
Translations:
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