The description below has been adapted from p.138, Elton, 1917, Cloth Seals; An Illustrated Guide to the Identification of Lead Seals Attached to Cloth: from the British Perspective, Archaeopress.
The double-headed eagle is more often associated with Continental seals, particularly the Hanse, the Hapsburg dynasty and the dyers’ companies of the Low Countries. This seal is also unusual in that the devices have been integrally cast rather than stamped as with most other alnage seals, suggesting a local corporation issue. Only the 29- has been stamped. Egan suggests it is the weight in pounds and suggests a 17th century date. Sarum is the medieval Latin abbreviation for Salisbury. The arms are barry of eight azure and or with supporters on either side of an eagle displayed with two heads or, ducally gorged azure. The missing bar on the shield is ascribed to die-cutters’ licence.
Another large, inner disc showing the shield with four fesses, incuse numerals 58 added separately has been found in the Mechelen and Bruges area [Egan, G., 2010b, p.62].
For a two-disc version without the eagle see MOL NN18442 and see Egan, G., 2001, no.37, Fig.21, p.55.
