EPISCOPAL SEALS. 93 
and Angels, the Bishop only appearing as a small figure in 
the base. The first class in the case of Coventry and 
Lichfield are found between 1162-1360, though taken as a 
class we may say 1072-1360. Those of the second class, 
1360 to the Reformation. Again, taken as a whole from 
1345 to the Reformation, the two types occurring side by 
side for about thirty years. 
With regard to the second part of the seal, the Legend, 
the lettering is of great value in dating a doubtful seal. 
We find (1) from 1070-1175 Roman capitals, which almost 
insensibly change into (2) from 1175-1215 a rude Lombardic, 
(3) from 1205-1345 a good Lombardic, which gives way to 
(4) 1345-1425 a bold black letter, this was succeeded by 
(5) 1425-1500 a fine close black letter, followed (6) after 
1500 by Roman Capitals. 
My friend, Allan Wyan, Esq., F.S.A., chief engraver of 
Her Majesty’s seals, classifies seals of the Bishops under 
- three heads—simple, elaborate, and heraldric. 
I show to-night seals of 21 of the Bishops out of a total 
number of 59 from the Norman Conquest to the present 
day. Though only one-third, they carry us well from 
the plain seal of Robert Pache, and show all stages of 
elaboration to the highest pitch of perfection in the 14th 
century, as shewn by Robert Stretton, Richard Le Scrope, 
and John Burghill. Then we descend, finishing with our 
present Bishop, a Heraldic seal, just showing signs of the 
improvement. I was in hopes of being able to show you 
seals of the present Archbishop of York and Bishop of Bath 
and Wells, the former being the first to re-introduce the 
standing figure; the latter the more elaborate 14th century 
style of seals. 
Of 32 specimens of seals which I have with me, 18 are 
Seals of Dignity, 10 Counter Seals, 1 Secretum, 2 Signets, 
and 1 Ad Causas. 
We will now pass on and examine the seals in order. 
