Page:Archaeologia volume 38 part 1.djvu/94

78 doms of England and Ireland are differenced from other kingdoms; that on the map side of the Great Seal the inscription shall be 'The Great Seal of England, 1648;' that the inscription on the other side of the seal, on which the sculpture of the House of Commons is engraven, shall be this, viz. 'In the First year of Freedom by God's Blessing restored, 1648;' that it be referred to the former committee to cause it to be engraven." One person was added to the committee, and sixty pounds were charged on the revenue towards the charges of this seal, to be paid forthwith to Mr. John Blakiston, who was one of the committee. On 26th January it was further ordered, that Thomas Symons be authorised to engrave a seal according to the form formerly directed, and have the sum of 200l. for graving the said Great Seal, and for the materials thereof.

On 7th February it was ordered, that the new Great Seal should be brought to the House on the following morning; and Sir Thos. Widrington and Mr. Whitelock, members of the House and two of the commissioners, were directed to do this. On the 8th it was enacted that they should be required to bring the Great Seal (i. c. the old Great Seal, made when Charles was at Oxford,) into the House, to be disposed of as the House should think fit; and the same having been brought in and delivered to the Speaker, it was ordered that the said Great Seal should be forthwith broken: it was broken accordingly into several pieces in the House; and the pieces and the purse were delivered to Widrington and Whitelock to be disposed of at their pleasure. An Act was passed the same day for establishing the new Great Seal, and making it high treason to counterfeit it; and it was delivered to Serjeant Whitelock, who with Serjeant Keeble and Mr. L'Isle were to be the commissioners.

On 25th April, 1659, a new coinage, with inscriptions in the English tongue, was ordered; and it was resolved, "That Thomas Symon be appointed to be sole chief engraver to the mints and seals."

Vertue had not been able to find any perfect impression of this first Seal, but an impression is said to have since been procured by Mr. Stradling, of Somersetshire.

No order for the making of any fresh or better seal appears; nor can I find the Act for that purpose said to have been passed on 26th March, 1650; but on 4th December, 1651, it was ordered, that on that day se'nnight the new Great Seal be