THE ECCLESIASTICAL SEALS OP CORNWALL. 41 



In base the shield of Arms displays, for PhiUi:)otts, " G-ules, a 

 cross argent, between four swords erect of the last, pomels and 

 hilts or," {see Plate.) 



Archdeacon Phillpotts is beneficed in the Dioceses of Trnro and 

 Exeter, and holds the Chancellorships of both. His seal as 

 Chancellor will presently be described. 



SEAL OF THE ARCHDEACON OP BODMIN (1878). 



Having had the honour of designing the 1 st Seal of Bodmin 

 Archdeaconry, I wiU explain its symbolism and narrate the cir- 

 cumstances which led to its composition — for, as it is now in use, 

 its general features will probably appear on a series of future 

 seals. Here, however, I would state that after my primary 

 design had been accepted, I was guided, as to some of the details, 

 by suggestions made by the Archdeacon (Rector of St. Ive), and 

 by his brother. Bishop Hobhouse (formerly of Nelson) as well 

 as by the wishes of Dr. Benson then Bishop of Truro. 



In the first place the name of the new Archdeaconry led me 

 to select, as the principal figure for the centre of the Seal, St. 

 Petroc the Briton — Bodmin's patron Saint.* 



I depicted him bearing the Book of Gospels and his Prioral 

 Staff, as we regard him through the vista of mediaeval times — 

 signified by the open cusped panel through which he is seen, his 

 name below marking his identity. 



At the base of the seal I placed, in accordance with many 

 precedents, the shield of the Archdeacon's personal Arms, unim- 

 paled, and on the border of the pointed oval I inscribed his 

 legend, the initial cross being at the upper extremity. 



Such then was my general design. 



Concerning details : — An effigy had already appeared, on the 

 Seal of the old Bodmin Priory, of St. Petroc habited in the 

 ecclesiastical vestments of the middle ages ; but Bishop Benson, 

 to avoid such an anachronism, wished me to represent the figure, 

 on the Archdeaconry Seal, clad as a prior of the British period 

 — the time in which he really lived. 



* St Petrock died A.D. 564, and was afterwards enshrined in Bodmin Priory- 

 Church (since destroyed). The ivory casket now held by the Corporation is con- 

 sidered to be a 12th century Reliquary, which for a time contained his remains. 

 Concerning his life and the stealing-, &c., of his bones, see Sir John Maclean's 

 " History of Trigg Minor " pp. 121, 231 ; Rev. J. Wallis's " Bodmin Register," p. 

 356 ; and accounts in the " Journal of the Royal Institution of Cornwall," &c. 



