222 On the Seals of the Bishops of Salisbury. 
possess casts of one-fourth of that number.! I have before me 
thirty-six seals, large and small, belonging to twenty-one out of our 
thirty-four pre-Reformation Bishops, and thirty-three seals belonging 
to twenty-seven out of the thirty-four post Reformation Bishops, 
making a total of sixty-nine—a very considerable number when we 
calculate the mischances which are apt to befall these objects. But 
I hope to render the series much more complete. 
To the Church historian the subject is of some interest, especially 
in regard to the counter seals, as showing the types of devotion 
which were popular in the centuries immediately preceding the 
Reformation, and the changes of feeling which succeeded it. To 
the ritualist (using the term in its proper sense) seals offer certain 
useful indications of ecclesiastical dress, ornament, and custom, but 
not, perhaps, as much as might be hoped, owing to the small size 
of the representations. To the local historian they should be 
naturally of very high value, especially as the arms figured do not 
always agree with these given in the books which deal with the 
subject, e.g., Rev. W. K, Riland Bedford’s very useful “ Blazon of 
Episcopacy ;” and in this field they raise many interesting and 
difficult questions. To the epigraphist the continuous series and 
development of the lettering ought to be very helpful in determining 
the epoch of other undated inscriptions. Mr. Hope divides the 
lettering of his seals as follows :— 
1, 1072—1174. Roman capitals which almost insensibly change 
into 
. 1174—1215. A kind of rude Lombardic. 
. 1206—1845. Good Lombardic. 
. 1345—1425. Bold black letter. 
. 1425—1500. Fine elose black letter. 
. After 1500. | Roman capitals. 
1 Mr. Hope has kindly explained how this calculation has been made, as 
follows :—‘‘ The calculation of six hundred and seventy-two seals is based (1) on 
the number of Bishops consecrated between 1072 and 1531, plus (2) the number 
of times Bishops were translated between those dates, for a new seal was made 
at each consecration and each translation. This refers to seals of dignity only. 
Counterseals and secreta did uot often bear the name of the Bishop’s see, so could 
continue in use. There are no data fxom which to calculate the number of seals 
ad causas, unless we may take it for granted that they followed the same rule 
as the seals of dignity.” 
mo OF Hm CO 2 
