Medieval Bronze Round Seal Matrix with Cockerel of Simon Fleming

The lock heater-shaped in section with a separate sliding mechanism, key with voided shank. 325 grams total, 4.9-10.6 cm



From the collection of the famous author, writer and speaker, Gordon Bailey, Essex, UK; formed since 1968. From the private collection of a Kent, UK, gentleman.

Comprising a pierced trefoil terminal with a drilled circular pit above; flat-topped hexagonal pedestal with collar, the body of the matrix flaring to the circular die with orientation notch; the retrograde legend '* hVnDR DE FLAXBERGh' around the circumference of the die, and tondo with inscription in two registers 'COitat SVSSEX'; file marks on the trefoiled loop. 35.6 grams, 36 mm high



Found near Lewes, East Sussex, UK, in August 2024. Accompanied by a copy of the British Museum's Portable Antiquities Scheme (PAS) report no.SUSS-99E46F.

This is an official seal matrix used for labourers' passes from the hundred of Flexborough in the Rape of Pevensey, Sussex, which incorporated the ancient parishes of East Batchington, South Heighton and Seaford. Another official seal for the hundred of Foxearle in the Rape of Hastings is recorded on the PAS Database (SUSS-D8F8D5), which notes that the seals were probably used by the Constables, amongst whose duties were keeping the peace and, from the 14th century, providing passes for workmen seeking work beyond their own hundred. In 1285, King Edward I of England passed the Statute of Winchester, which 'constituted two constables in every hundred to prevent defaults in towns and highways'. Constables were unpaid and usually elected locally. Harvey and MacGuiness (1996:41) note: 'The Statute of Cambridge in 1388 ordered that labourers moving from the area where they lived should be given a pass sealed by someone appointed by the local justices of the peace, and describing the seal's design - it should name the county around the edge and the hundred, wapentake or town across the centre. (ibid: fig:35). Three years later sheriffs were ordered to have these seals made at once'. They quote 6 examples of surviving matrices (p.42), and others exist including three from Norfolk and two from Suffolk (Ashley and Richardson 1998). This example and the other Sussex example, SUSS-D8F8D5, name the county and hundred as required but reverse the arrangement laid out in the statute and seen on other seals, which have the county in the middle and the hundred around the edge. Research by Christopher Whittick in the archives of Battle Abbey has also identified a document bearing a seal for Battle Hundred which is similar in design to this example, with the county name in the middle and the hundred name around the edge. Unusually, the seal was used on a private charter dated 1361, which suggests Sussex hundreds were using standardised seals a generation before the statute of 1388. It also raises interesting questions about whether the existence of seals such as this influenced the 1388 statute.

Of episcopal type, centred by a square cabochon sapphire in a closed-back collet, four smaller collet settings arranged around the central setting set with emerald and amethyst cabochons, the bezel supported by a narrow flat-section hoop. 1.94 grams, 22.42 mm overall, 19.35 mm internal diameter (approximate size British P, USA 7 1/2, Europe 16.23, Japan 15)



Acquired on the European art market. UK, private collection. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate no.13501-263469.

Finger rings with a principal stone and subsidiary settings in separate collets came into use in the early 13th century, and this form of simple low collar continued in use to the 15th century.