Sir Francis Palgrave observes, in regard to the mass of ancient correspondence in the Treasury of the Exchequer, that in the fourteenth century the wax was left uncovered: in the fifteenth it became the practice to cover it by a wrapper of paper; this protected the seal, but necessarily injured the sharpness of the impression. When the seal was not thus covered, other devices were adopted to preserve the fragile wax. A rush ring surrounding the impression was not unfrequently used. Sometimes neat bands of plaited paper were employed for this purpose; leaves of trees—the beech, the bay, and the oak—were also placed over the seals to keep them from injury.[1] The example given by Sir Francis, in the plates of Illustrations, is of rather late date. It occurs on a letter (written upon paper) from James IV. of Scotland to Henry VII., dated July 12, 1502. The seal is encircled by a twist of rush, like the torse of a crest.[2]
This peculiar usage commenced possibly rather earlier than has been stated by the eminent antiquary above cited. Specimens are not wanting from about 1380 to the reign of Henry VIII. It prevailed chiefly during the reign of Henry IV. and the two succeeding sovereigns. Several curious examples are given in the plates accompanying the Paston Letters; for instance, the seals of John, Lord Lovell, t. Henry VI., of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, and of William Yelverton, about 1450.[3]
Another specimen is pointed out by Sir Frederic Madden. It occurs on a warrant signed by Edward V., and countersigned by the Duke of Gloucester as Protector. It is dated 1483. The impression is unfortunately lost, but the torse of rush remains which had encircled it.[4]
It has been observed, that seals protected by this "fender" of rush, to prevent the wax being flattened by pressure, are of more frequent occurrence affixed to a plain surface, such as a sheet of paper, than as appended seals, such as that here represented. It is probable that the practice originated with the use of seals thus applied, and their liability to injury by pressure.
The document which has supplied this interesting example was communicated by Dr. Kidd, through the kindness of the President of Trinity College, the Rev. J. Wilson. It is a letter of attorney from John Hampdene, of Hampdene, Richard Restwolde, and Andrew Sperlynge, to John Uptone and John Whytynge, to receive seisin of the manors of Nortone (Somerset), Connoke (Wilts), and Ramrugge (Hants), according to the form and effect of a certain writing from William de la Pole, Earl of Suffolk, to them, John Hampdene, Richard and Andrew. Dated Aug. 6th, 11 Hen. VI. (1433).)
11. The following seals were communicated by Mr. Majendie.—A brass matrix, of the fourteenth century, recently found at Great Yeldham, Essex, the device a hare blowing a hunting-horn, and mounted on a hound:—*SOHOV ROBIN. Date about 1320.
12. Seal found at East Bourne; it bears an escutcheon, semy of cross crosslets, fitchy, a lion rampant, the arms of the Sussex family named Levett. Inscription, * SIG'. IOHANNIS· LIVET. The owner of this seal, as Mr. Walford has suggested, was probably the John Livet, certified Lord of the township of Firle, Sussex, in 1316. (Parl. Writs, vol. ii., pt. ii., p. 335).
