Cloth Seal, Norwich Weavers' Company Seal, 1665

Cloth Seal, Norwich Weavers' Company Seal, 1665, Image by StuE, Found by Garry J.
Found in Yorkshire, 20mm, 6.2g.

N(O) / RW(I) / CH // FH / BW(R)W / WCS(P) / BC

A Norwich cloth seal with the letters in a well known style:- NO / RWI / CH on one side and the other side shows the surname initial of the 12 wardens of Norwich for that particular year, FH / BWRW / WCSP / BC

These surname initials match those for the year 1665 as recorded in the Norwich Mayor's Court Book held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich, Vol.23 (fol. 247):-
Robt Freeman, Robt Howard, Rich Brooke, John Wrench, John Rant, Danniell Westall, John Wade, Tho Copeman, James Shepheard, John Porter, John Brown, Robt Claxton. This transcription by Ursula Priestley can be found on p.408 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.