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Rh John Thornborough, occurs from 1290 to 1296 Walter, 2 elected 1296, occurs till 1300 John of Salisbury, occurs 1301 to 1307 Thomas of Buckingham, elected 1308, occurs till 1315 John, elected 1317, occurs till 1321 Thomas of Buckingham, occurs 1324 Roger of Gotham, occurs 1325 to 1332 Griffin, occurs 1341 William of Loughborough, occurs from 1357 Peter, occurs from 1378 to 1396 John, occurs from 1397 to 1400 Stephen, occurs 1428 John, occurs from 1469 to 1480 William, occurs 1481 Richard Benet, occurs 1495, resigned 1535 Richard Green, last abbot, elected 1535

Seal of St. Mary and St. Nicholas of Biddlesden :

A pointed oval seal of the late twelfth century, creamy white, imperfect. The ob- verse is wanting, the reverse represents a sinister hand and vested arm issuing from the left and holding a pastoral staff in pale. The legend, of which only a part remains, runs : +SIG. . . s DE BETLESD.'

A very similar one, light brown in colour, representing a hand and vested arm issuing from right, grasping a pastoral staff in pale. Legend: + SICILLVM DE BEHTLESDENA.

A dark green pointed oval seal or counter- seal, I264-I286, represents a dexter and vested arm issuing from the right and holding a pastoral staff in pale. In the field on the left a crescent enclosing an estoile. Legend : [CJONTRA s' ABB'IE DE BETLESDENE.

A pointed oval seal or counterseal, pale yellow in colour, and imperfect, attached to a charter bearing date 1275, represents a dexter hand and vested arm issuing from the right, holding a pastoral staff with large crook in pale. In the field on the left two crescents and an estoile. The legend is defective : [CJONTRA S'. . . ESDEN. . ..

A very small green pointed oval seal at- tached to a charter of 1265. The impres- sion, which is very imperfect, represents a crescent enclosing an estoile of many points. Legend : AVE MARIA GRA. Later seal of the fourteenth century. Two partial impressions, one containing the upper, the other the lower part of a pointed oval seal, represents a saint standing in a canopied niche. In base a shield of arms : a fesse and quarter : ERNALDUS DE BOSCO, founder. Legend : SIG. . . NT' DE.

Seal of Abbot Giffard 1228-1236. Pointed oval, dark green, represents Minerva hel- meted, in profile to the left holding a spear. Legend: +VIVE : vr : PLACEAS : DEO.

Seal of Abbot Thomas about 1238-1240. Pointed oval, opaque yellow in colour, the impression is fine but very imperfect, repre- sents the abbot full length, in his right hand a pastoral staff, in his left a book. Legend : . . . BATIS ... TO NICHOL. ..

Seal of Abbot Philip 1245. Pointed oval, dark green, represents the abbot standing on a platform, holding in his right hand a pastoral staff, in his left a book. Legend : + SIGILL' : ABATIS : DE : SANCTO : NICHOLAO.

Seal of Abbot William 1264-1286. Sim- ilar to seal of Abbot Philip. Another seal of Abbot William, a pointed oval, represents the Virgin half length, the Holy Child on her left knee. In base under an arch the abbot half length in prayer. Legend : [MJATER DEI [MEMJENTO ME[I].

Another seal of Abbot William, oval, impression of a bust couped at the neck, in profile to right, wearing a double tiara. Legend : IHESV : MERCI.