Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 10.pdf/274

 The Great Seal. and interesting picturing as this, one must turn to Wyon's great volume already men tioned, to the splendid series of British Museum photographs, and to the numerous prints of Great Seals to be found scattered among many historical works and essays : here, I am picking out only the most in teresting or important seals, that have in their day played a very real and effective part in our history — for all these Great Seals have at one time or another acted as the final and material sign of the Sovereign's will in affairs of international and home im portance. So we must pass on to No. 5, the second seal of Richard I., who used two seals, and whose roving nature is attested by the many charters to which his first Great Seal is attached, most of which were dated at foreign places. During his absence on the Crusade, he left Longchamp in England as his Chancellor; but his Vice-Chancellor, Malchien, who accompanied Richard, was

247

No. 5. The Second Seal of Richard C<cur de Lion. Period of use, about 1197-1199. Diameter 3.7 inches. Legend : ricarDVS. DVX. NORMANNORVM. ET. AQVITANORVM. ET. COMES. ANDEGAVORVM. Reverse.

drowned in the sea near Cyprus with the Great Seal hung round his neck, and thus the first Great Seal was lost. The King turned this loss to good account after his return home, by requiring all charters granted under his lost seal to be confirmed under his second (see No. 5), "whereby," says Speed, " he drew a great masse of money to his Treasurie." This seal is remarkable as being the first instance in which the royal shield is charged with the famous three lions passant guardant in pale, which be came thenceforward the charges of the Royal Arms of England. Edward I. had only one Great Seal (See No. 6), whose legend contains the reference already mentioned, to both Ireland and France; the reference to Ireland

No. e. The Seal of Edward 1. Period of use, 1272-1307. Diameter 3.9 inches. Legend: EDWARDVS. DEI .GrACIA.REX. anGLIE. DOMINVS. h VBERNIE. DVX. AQVITANIE. Obverse.

("DOMINVS

.

HYBERNIE,")

in

the Great Seal of England, first occurred in the Seal of King