Seal impression (cast)

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the 1st seal of Holyrood Abbey in Edinburgh, dating from 1141.

The seal depicts a church in the form of a cross with a domed tower. The inscription identifies the abbey which was founded by David I and dedicated to the Holy Rood (cross) in the 12th century. 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: 000-180-001-754-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.1999.1346
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 1141
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: SIGILLVM SCI . CRUCIS EDENES - BVRGHGENSIS ECCLIE
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 60 mm L x 49 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Holyrood
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the 1st seal of Holyrood Abbey, depicting a church in the form of a cross with a domed tower, 1141
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 182, no 104 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 182, no 104. 
• Translations:
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