Seal impression (cast), of BishopThomas de Tulloch

This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal ad causas of Thomas de Tulloch, Bishop of Orkney, dating from around 1418.

The seal depicts St Magnus holding a sword. The cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney was dedicated to him. Enough of the inscription 'SIGE ..... EPI.ORCADIENSIS.' survives to identify the seal. 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.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-001-774-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.1999.936
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: Around 1418
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: SIGE ..... EPI.ORCADIENSIS.
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 62 mm L x 40 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: St Magnus
  Thomas de Tulloch
  
• Where: Scotland, Orkney
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the seal of Thomas de Tulloch, Bishop of Orkney, depicting St Magnus, c. 1418
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 158, no 319 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 158, no 319. 
• Translations:
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