Seal impression (cast), of Abbot Richard

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This is a 19th century sulphur cast of a seal impression. The impression was made from the seal of Richard, Abbot of Kelso Abbey in Roxburghshire, dating from 1404.

The seal depicts the Virgin Mary and Child under a triple pointed arch, flanked by two angels. Below, an abbot kneels in veneration. The inscription 'VIRGO : TVVM : NATVM. LACTANS FAC ME SIBI GRATV' is a prayer from the abbot to the Virgin. 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: 000-180-001-810-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.1999.1362
• Date: Date of cast: 19th century; Date of seal: 1404
  
• Material: Sulphur; brown. Inscription: VIRGO : TVVM : NATVM . LACTANS FAC ME SIBI GRATV.
  Seal / cast
  
• Dimensions: 64 mm L x 44 mm W
  
• What: Seal / cast
  
• Subject:
• Who: Richard, Abbot of Kelso Abbey
  
• Where: Scotland, Roxburghshire, Kelso
  
• Event:
• Description: Brown sulphur cast of the seal of Richard, Abbot of Kelso Abbey, depicting the Virgin under a triple pointed arch with an angel, 1404
  
• References:
  • Stevenson and Wood, i, p. 189, no 161 
  • Stevenson, J.H. and Wood, M. Scottish Heraldic Seals - Royal, Official, Ecclesiastical, Collegiate, Burghal, Personal, vol i. Glasgow, 1940, p 189, no. 161. 
• Translations:
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