534 



The Secretary read the following communication from Sir 

 William Betham, on a leaden seal of Herbert de la Mara, now 

 preserved in the Museum of the Academy : 



" This is a singular matrix, inasmuch as lead is a very 

 unusual material for a seal of any age, but especially of the 

 antiquity 1 take this to be. 



" Considering the material of which it is made, it is very 

 perfect. Herbert is in armour on horseback, in full gallop, as 

 princes and great nobles of that day were represented ; on his 

 left arm is the triangular shield of the twelfth and thirteenth 

 centuries ; in his right, which is extended, is something like 

 a short club or mace. The bit of the bridle is very long and 

 severe. Round the circle is the following inscription : 



+ SIGILLVM: H6R6€B€RTI D6LAMARA. 



" When Mr. Underwood first produced this seal to me, I 

 considered that it was the seal of Herbert Delamare, who lived 

 in the reign of Edward III. ; at the same time, I thought the 

 shield indicated a higher antiquity, and further investigation 

 convinced me it was of the end of the twelfth or beginning 

 of the thirteenth century. 



" In a MS. in my possession I find the following notes 

 respecting the Delamares : 



" ' Richard Delamara was witness to a charter of William 

 Rufus to the monastery of Bermondsey. 



" ' Henry Delamare was huntsman to the King, 5 Ste- 

 phen. 



" ' Richard Delamare, said to be son of Henry, was she- 

 riff of Oxfordshire, 34 Hen. II., and of Oxford and Bucks, 

 1 & 2 Ric. I. 



" ' Geoffrey Delamare had lands in Berkshire, 10 John. 



" « John Delamare, his grandson, was knighted 34 Edw. I., 

 and summoned to the Parliament of England 6th February, 

 34 Edw. I. (1305), as Baron Delamare.' 



