Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 January 2012
The five matrices of ecclesiastical seals exhibited to-night were bought by the writer from a dealer in antiquities in the county of Durham. Of their previous history nothing appears to be known. The writer is unable to identify two of them with any certainty, but it is hoped that their publication may lead to their identification being established. The silver matrix of the armorial seal (no. 6), exhibited by our Fellow Mr. R. C. Bosanquet, was recently found by him among a collection of family seals, medals, etc., dating from the early part of the nineteenth century; there is no record of how or when it came into the possession of his family.
page 242 note 1 Dr. J. T. Dunn, city analyst of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has kindly tested the silver matrices for me. He reports that they are all of silver with a small alloy of copper to harden them.
page 243 note 1 There is the possibility of the place being in Switzerland or Italy, but the writer is unaware of any place, of which Policinum is a possible form, in either of those countries.
page 243 note 2 Gallia Christiana XV, 137.
page 244 note 1 V.C.H. Suffolk, ii, 82.
page 244 note 2 Mon. Angl. iv, 338.
page 244 note 3 B.M. Seal Catalogue, no. 2771.
page 245 note 1 In the last edition of the Monasticon Anglicanum (vol. iv, 447) the editors state that ‘the matrix is still extant’.
page 245 note 2 Proc. Soc. Ant. v, 238.
page 246 note 1 B.M. Seal Catalogue, no. 3604.
page 246 note 2 Ibid., no. 3605. The date given in the catalogue is too early: the seal cannot date before the episcopacy of bishop Alcock.
page 246 note 3 Mon. Angl. iv, 447.
page 246 note 4 Le Neve's Fast. Eccles. Angl., ed. Hardy, i, pp. 478 and 511.
page 247 note 1 Le Neve's Fast. Eccles. Angl., ed. Hardy, i, pp. 478 and 511.
page 247 note 2 Ecclesiastical Heraldry, 198.
page 247 note 3 History of Herefordshire, i, 543.
page 247 note 4 B.M. Seal Catalogue, no. 1618.
page 248 note 1 Northumberland County History, i, p. 153, note 2.