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: 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
  Seal / cast
  
• 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. 
• Translations:
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