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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2012
I observe, that several communications respecting municipal Seals have been formerly made to the Society, and am consequently induced to address you upon the subject of one, which presents a fair claim to their notice.
The first municipal Seal now extant, which was used by the commonalty of the burgh of Bristol, is no less curious for the excellence of the engraving, as a work of art at the time of its execution, than the historical design, concerning which, I request to submit some Observations which have occurred upon a careful examination of it.
page 80 note a The most ancient rudder by which the ship was guided, in the time of the Romans is called by Virgil “clavus,” (in distinction from “remus,”) and was attached to the side of the ship.
“Ipse sedens clavumque regit, velisque ministrat.”—Æn. 1. x. 218.
And in the 9th plate of the Bayeux tapestry (published by the Society) the pilot holds the rudder in one hand, and the sail in the other. Upon the Trajan column, the clavus appears to have been likewise attached to the side of ships, and it is probable, that this usage prevailed during the whole period of the Roman empire, and that it was transmitted by them to the conquered provinces. That the Normans adopted the form and place of the rudder from them, the Bayeux tapestry affords us several instances, with some variation, indeed, in its lower part. See plates i. ii. vi. vii. viii. ix. And in illuminations of a MS. of Henry Knighton. C. C. Coll. Oxon. D. 4. f. 5.
page 81 note b “Portam navis” is translated (meo periculo) at the steerage or helm of the ship, for I am unable to adduce any instance of its having been so used either in classic or monkish latinity. Such a pleonasm as “navita navis” can scarcely have been intended, and it was not the fact, that the pilot kept the gate (of the castle). The play upon the words “porta and portus” was too delightful to have been rejected by a rhyming monk; and he therefore used the former in a sense for which he had no authority. In the 14th century the clavus above mentioned, appears to have been superseded by a rudder affixed to the stern, more resembling those of modern usage, and as may be seen in one of the illuminations of the Froissart, in the British Museum, like one half of folding gates, turning upon a hinge.
page 83 note c “Almerike ov Montfort deprived was þere
And þe tressure that he had in kepyng.” Edit. Hearne, p. 222.
page 83 note d The next zere followand of Edward coronment;
Leulyn of Walsland, into France he sent
Đe Montforts doughter to wedde, her frenδes all consent,
Almirike her ledde to schẏp, now ere hir went
Now they sail anδ row to Wales to Lewellynes,
A burgeys of Bristowe chargyd was with wines
He overtoke þere schẏp, wiþens hir were?
Hii said wið King Philipp to Wales wold hir fare.
What δuδ þis burgeys? disturbed his wenδing,
Đe may and hir hernesse did lede unto ðe king;
Đe mayden Edwarde toke, als he was full courteis,
In safety did hir loke, and thankid þe burgeys.
Whan Lewlyne hard say to warre sone he began,
For tene he wend to die, þat taken was his leman.” Edit. ut sup. v.
page 84 note e “Comitissa de Leicester, vidua Simonis de Montfort, fill'am suam transmisit in Walliam Principi maritandam; qui suspectum iter habentes per Angliam immenso multi maris spatio, ad insulas Iduras (quæ terminos Cornubiæ respiciunt) devehuntur.” p. 248. Sayer's Mem. of Bristol, vol. ii. p. 70.
page 84 note f Ex registro Abbat. de Kainsham.
page 85 note g The last Great Seal of England, the legend of which is inscribed in the Lombardic character, is that of Edward the Third, first used upon his claim of the crown of France, in 1338.
page 85 note h In Vincent's Collection of Drawings from Seals (MSS. Coll. Arm. No. 88. p. 42) there is a later variety, in which the quarter for France has only the three fleurs-de-lys adopted by King Henry the Fifth, and the beacon is omitted. The legend is “Sigillum Majoritatis ville de Bristoll.” It is affixed to the following deed. “Ego Thomas Halleway de Bristollia concessi tenementum, &c. Et quia sigillum meum quam plurimis est incognitum sigillum majoritatis ville Bristoll apposui. Dat. 10 Henrici 6ti 1432.” Thomas Halleway was Mayor 1434, and founded a Chantry in the parish church of All Saints, with a competent endowment, in 1450.