Cloth Seal, Norwich Weavers Company Seal, Image by StuE, Found by Nasher.
Found near Baldock, Hertfordshire, 20mm, 6.2g.
NO / RWI / CH // TR / GLNC / BBMG / SP
A Norwich cloth seal with the letters in a well known style. These surname initials match those for the year 1681 as recorded in the Norwich Mayor's Court Book held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich, Vol.25 (fol. 130v):-
Nich Richer, Wm Tooly, John Tyler, Robt Baldinge, Fra Browne, James Margerie, Wm Barker, Roger Phoker, Wm Robins, John Moore, Tho Symonds, Wm Verdon. The first six wardens are for Norwich and the last six are for the rest of Norfolk. This transcription by Ursula Priestley can be found on p.412 of Provenanced Leaden Cloth Seals by Geoffrey Egan, Sub-Department of Medieval Archaeology, University College, University of London, submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, 1987.
See Nos.81-85 Figs.21-22, Egan, Lead Seals and Related Items in the British Museum.
Also see the 'Worsted Reformed' seals that were attached to the other end of these cloths.
