Both functional as a form of authentication and aesthetically pleasing, seals are always an intriguing part of archival documents. Sometimes the connection between imagery and owner is clear – Simon Carp might have fish or a hook; but often the significance has been lost to time.
We may not know the stories behind the seals, but this blog is a chance to admire some of our favourite recent finds!
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Sea and Stars
Let’s start with this marriage settlement from 1700, D-SBS/F/4. The groom John Cleale, a blacksmith from South Perrott, used an anchor and heart motif. Now often associated with sailors and tattoos, this image represents the Christian values of faith, hope, and love.
Brother of the bride Edward Curtiss, a clothier also of South Perrott, has what we believe to be a three-masted ship – possibly a barque or frigate. Despite being over ten miles from the coast, it’s possible that Edward and his family produced sails and other cloth for seafarers.
Our personal favourite from this document is the seven stars, the seal of Richard Park(e). We can’t find a clear connection between the name Parke and astronomy – perhaps seven sisters once formed part of the family? Or perhaps Richard just liked the star motif too?
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Animals
Animals feature heavily in seal designs. Here we have a fantastic deer which could be a modern graphic or logo. It marked the signature of William Knott in 1710.
The next set of animals are a little hard to see – can you spot the three lion heads on Sir Francis Wyndham’s seal?
Sir Francis Wyndham was the third baronet of Trent in Somerset. His father, the first baronet, was a staunch Royalist who once sheltered King Charles II at Trent.
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A divine doctor
On the same document, we can find the signet of William Hayley and his wife Mary. With closer inspection, we can see that it includes Arabic.
William Hayley was a Doctor of Divinity and later Dean of Chichester Cathedral. After his ordination, he worked as chaplain to Sir William Trumbull during the latter’s role as ambassador to Constantinople – likely where William developed his signet. Unfortunately, we don’t have any experts in 17th century Arabic on staff – if you have a translation, do let us know in the comments below!
Finally, let’s admire this impressive castle or palace that features on the seal of Geoffrey Palmer, MP and Gentleman of the Privy Chamber – perhaps depicting somewhere he had lived?
Have you found any intricate or exciting seal designs? Let us know in the comments below!
These are gorgeous photos. Would you share slightly longer posts of wax seals and the linked family history? There are a few books at Dorchester Library all about heraldry and the symbolism behind Coates of Arms, it will be fun to cross-reference these pictures. I’d love to read more about the family history behind the Arabic seal… 🙂