which now received the farther addition of a small fleur-de-lis above each castle. An impression, appended to a charter, dated Feb. 27, 1 E. III. (1327), was exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries in 1799, by Mr. Samuel Lysons; and Wailly describes another in the archives of France, dated April 11, 1327[1]. And as the next paragraph shews that the matrix was broken in October, its history is complete from its first employment by Edward I. to its destruction by Edward III.
In the October of the same year, the king issued a proclamation stating that he had made a new great seal (B) differing both in circumference and in design on both sides from the seal which he had hitherto used, which new seal was to have authority from the 4th of October, the old seal to be broken. Impressions of the new seal in white wax were despatched to the proper authorities, together with the proclamation. It is also recorded that the old seal (A) was broken into small pieces in the king's presence, in his chamber in the castle of Nottingham[2].
This seal (B[3]) makes its appearance so soon after the king comes to the throne, that it is clear that his father's seal was merely adopted in the first instance to give time for the formation of this new one, which exhibits considerable advance in style, and a complete difference of design. The king is seated like his predecessors upon a chair, but this chair has four pinnacles, and a high back, which terminates upwards in an ogee arch. On each side is engraved a large and distinct fleur-de-lis. An impression of this seal is annexed to a document dated Roxborough, Scotland, Jan. 16, 1335, according to Sandford, who engraves it, and to another in the archives of France, dated March 30, 1331[4]. And I have met with several others, of which the latest is in the treasury of Ely cathedral, dated Oct. 7, 1336.
On the 10th of July, 1338[5], a proclamation was issued setting forth that the king was about to leave the country
- ↑ Archæologia, vol. xiv. p. 271, and pl. xlvii. Wailly, tom. ii. p. 113.
- ↑ "Antiquum sigillum ruptum fuit in minutas pecias." Rymer, p. 718.
- ↑ In the Issue Roll published by Sir Frederick Devon (p. 142.) is a payment of 5l. (on June 2, 1332) to "a certain goldsmith of London in money paid to him for making a certain great seal tor the chancery of our Lord the King." This must apply to seal B, and shews that the goldsmith had to wait six years for his money, or at least for part of it, as this might be an instalment as usual. In 1350 there occurs "June 2 to John de Grymstede a goldsmith of London in part payment of 4l. paid to him for engraving a certain seal for the Lord the king for Ireland, by order of the council 2l." Ibid., p. 154.
- ↑ Sandford, p. 157. Wailly, p. 113.
- ↑ Rymer, p. 1018.
