Cloth Seal, London Coat of Arms

Cloth Seal, London Coat of Arms, Image & Found by ossie.
Found in Dorset about fifteen mile from Corfe.

One disc from a four part seal showing ornate shield bearing the arms of London (ridged cross with sword in first quarter) F and pellet pattern around.

See seals 2216{"ornately-shaped shield with arms of London, (? F & wreath) around"} and 2626{"arms of London in ornately-shaped shield, . to each side, scroll above with (? SVBSIDIES) on"}, "Inner discs from smaller four-part seals have arms of London in ornately-shaped shield, scroll with illegible word [possibly 'subsidies'] above, possible wreath around If correctly interpreted, this legend could indicate a date during the Commonwealth", p 167, 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.

The Commonwealth period suggestion is interesting in connection to the find spot as Corfe Castle was partially demolished in 1646 by the Parliamentarians. As this is the second similar seal from there it is tempting and not improbable to imagine a supply of cloth arriving for or being 'liberated' by the besieging army!