REMARKS ON ONE OF THE GREAT SEAES OF EDWAltD III. i?.')! "Francio" did not occur, tliu cii'cumscriptiou bciii<;' "Kdwanlus Dei gracia Rex Anglic Doiniims iribeniic ct A(iuitaiinic.*' "In l'M), the treaty of Bretigny," says rrofessor Willis, was set aside, and the king resumed the title and anus of King of France. A memorandum in Rymer (Vol. iii., j). S6S) sets this forth ; and adds, that the king of England and France caused to be brought to him at Westminster on the 11th of June, all those seals which were kept in his treasury, the circumscription of which had the words " Edwardus Rex Anglic et Francie," or " Francie et Anglic ;" that is to say, as well the seals for the rule of the kingdom of England, as those for the Benches, and for the Exchequer, and for the office of the Privy Seal. Of these he delivered to the Venerable William, Bishop of Winchester, his Chancellor, two great seals, each in tw^o pieces, one of which, E, contained the words " Rex Anglic et Francie," and on the other, f, "Rex Francie et Anglic." Now this would seem fatal to the L^Iaim of the seal w^e have enoraved to be the seal E, which, according to this interpretation of Rymer, should read, " Rex Anghe et Francie," instead of " Francie et Anglic." Yet if
- his were so, it would show that we must add an eighth to
die hst of great seals used by Edw^ard III. ; and this would be a seal, of which the existence has never been before even suspected. But the truth is, that the meaning of the memorandum in Rymer, i-eferred to by Professor Willis, is, in regard to the ^reat seals noticed in it, so obscure, that it can hardly be jleemed sufficient to overthrow the clear evidence on which the claim of our seal is founded. It appearing probable that >ome error might have been committed in transcribing that portion of it for the press, the roll itself has been consulted
the hope of clearing away this (hfficulty ; but it lias been
"ound to correspond with the printed copy, except in a few trifling instances. In order that the reader may form his pwn opinion as to the meaning of the memorandum, it is expedient to set out that part of it which relates to the seals. The previous portion states a resolution of parliament on 'he 3rd of June, 1369, that the king should resume the name tnd title of King of England and France, and then in Cay ley
- The arms of France had not been in the first aud fourth quarters, with those
iid aside ; they were quartered as usual, of England, on the Seal G. ! VOL. VIII. M M
