Great Seals Gallery

Great Seal of King Henry II: Side 2

Great Seal of King Edward I, Side 1

This seal is remarkably well preserved and is attached to a charter dated 27th August 1294. It can currently be seen in the Chapter House as part of the Magna Carta exhibition where is is mounted in dark grey 'plastazote' to support it as in the photo here. Before being put on display it underwent some minor non intrusive cleaning by the conservation department at the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre.

Great Seal of King Edward I, Side 2

This photo shows the side of the seal not on view in the Magna Carta exhibition and also before cleaning.

Great Seal of King Edward II: Side 1

Unfortunately much of this seal has been lost over time although the cords are in very good condition. The document it is attached to is dated 19th December 1317.

Great Seal of King Edward II, Side 2

Great Seal of King Richard II: Side 1

This seal has also been significantly damaged and in the past attempts have been made to consolidate it with the addition of wax around the edges.

Great Seal of King Richard II, Side 2

Great Seal of King Henry V, Side 1

Attached to a document dated 5th September 1417.

Great Seal of King Henry V, Side 2

Great Seal of King Henry VI, Side 1

This seal belongs to a document issued on 10th November 1455.

Great Seal of King Henry VI, Side 2

Great Seal of Philip & Mary, Side 1

This seal is rather badly worn. It is dated to 12th February 1558.

Great Seal of Philip & Mary, Side 2

Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth I, Side 1

Again this Seal has been badly damaged and unfortunately the top of the Queen's head is missing. You can see how the parchment strip passes right though the two layers of wax. The document is dated 3rd July 1596.

Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth I, Side 2

Great Seal of King James I

The document to which this seal was originally attached does not survive so it can only be dated approximately to some time between 1603 and 1625. Again it is badly damaged and what survives is only barely clinging to the parchment tag.

Great Seal of King James I, Side 2

Great Seal of King George V, Side 1

Issued in 1936.

Great Seal of King George V, Side 2