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Alnager's seal matrix

Each length of woollen cloth had at least two seals attached. One carried the mark of a merchant to identify the owner. Another carried the seal of the alnager, a city official responsible for quality control. This stamp reads 'S Vlnagii Pannorv in Bristollia', or the 'seal of alnage of cloths in Bristol' and dates to about 1500. Broadcloth, two yards or about 184 cm wide, was warm and waterproof. The standard length was an ell, two feet six inches or 114 cm. A 'cloth' was made and sold in standard lengths of 40 or 20 ells.

Q2958 (image/tiff)
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Summary

: Q2958

: British Archaeology

: seal matrix

: The matrix is made of copper alloy and is of late 15th or early 16th century date. It is unique within the City of Bristol collections and reflects the importance of the cloth trade in medieval Bristol. This particular matrix has a central rough image of the head of a leopard, presumably as a symbol for the realm in place of the complete arms, set in a six-petalled floriate design. Around this it carries an inscription in Lombardic lettering: S.VLNAGII:PANNORV:IN BRISTOLLIA: which translates as 'the seal of alnage of cloths in Bristol'. The reverse matrix would have depicted the ship and castle of the arms of Bristol.

Alnager's seal matrix

Current Location

On Display at M Shed, Bristol People Gallery

: Congresbury, North Somerset, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) / England, Northern Europe, Europe

: Congresbury, North Somerset, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) / England, Northern Europe, Europe

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