Cloth Seal, Norwich, Russel Company, Image by StuE, Found by Nasher.
Found near Baldock, Hertfordshire, 24 x 20mm, 6.9g.
Arms of Norwich, Castle with three towers and lion passant below // (FI)DE / (LIT)AS / (ART)E(S) / (ALIT)
See No.80 Fig.21 in Geoff Egan's 'Lead Cloth Seals and Related Items in the British Museum' - "three-towered castle with lion passant below (arms of Norwich) ... The motto fidelitas artes alit ('confidence [sc. in the workmanship and / or the product] fosters the craft') is that of the Norwich Russel Company, which was incorporated in 1554. ... The manufacture of russels in Norwich, mentioned by Roberts in 1700, had apparently ended by 1723."
From Norwich Textiles:- "From the 16th century the history of the Norwich textile industry can be traced in greater detail. In 1544 the Company of Dornix weavers was formed, making bed-linens, board cloths and curtains. A small group of specialist weavers from Flanders were invited to work with experienced local men to make 'Norwich Satins’ and ‘Norwich Fustians’ This enterprise grew into the successful ‘Russell Company’ founded in 1554."
