Cloth Seal, Norwich Weavers' Company Seal, 1674, Image & Found by Emma and Nick.
Found on Thames Foreshore, Bankside Beach, 20mm, 5g.
MS / WWB(L) / BAB(S) / (WH) // missing (but usually NO / RWI / CH)
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 1674
These surname initials match those for the year 1679 as recorded in the Norwich Mayor's Court Book held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich, Vol.24(fol. 280v/281):-
Martin Monie, Rich Smith / Timothy Wynn, Fra Westen, Edw Bayst, Bryan Lewys / Wm Barker, John Arger, Jo Brettingham, Sam Smyth / Tho Warner, Wm Harvy.
This transcription by Ursula Priestley can be found on p.411 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.
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 1679
These surname initials match those for the year 1679 as recorded in the Norwich Mayor's Court Book held at the Norfolk Records Office in Norwich, Vol.25 (fol. 48v):-
Edw Attesley, Jeremy Bell / Andrew Fayreman, Wm Cook, John Rylie, Anth Dawson / Wm Spirrill, Wm Ransome, Wm Garret, Tho Parkin / Tho Bretingham, James Gray. This transcription by Ursula Priestley can be found on p.411 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.