Pevensey, seal of the corporation, circa 1230

Pevensey, seal of the corporation, circa 1230. The obverse inscribed 'SIGIL'V : BARONUM . DOMINI : REGIS . ANGLIE DE PEVENES' depicts the thirteenth century sailing vessel with double-ended clinker-built hull, with high stem and stern posts, fighting stages as small temporary erections just inside the ship's ends. The lower of the two attachments of the quarter-rudder is seen clearly. The seal is perhaps the earliest illustration of ratlines on the shrouds. Two men are hauling on the anchor cable. The reverse inscribed : 'SCE . NICOLAE . DVC . NOS . SPONTE . TRAHE . PEV' depicts St Nicholas, who succours two ships whose sails have been torn into shreds by a tempest. Two casts, obverse and reverse, mounted on an emulsioned plywood backboard with a label.

Object Details

ID: SEC0001
Type: Seal cast
Display location: Not on display
Places: Pevensey
Date made: ca.1230; ca.1230
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Diameter: 94 mm; Overall: 10 mm