By the Rev. J. E. Jackson. 



391 



No. 4. A brass Seal found in 1853 in a garden on the site, and 

 behind the present fragment of Bradenstoke Abbey, near 

 Chippenham. It is not the Seal of the House, but most 

 likely belonged to some member of it. The meaning of the 

 device requires explanation. It represents a monk stooping 

 or kneeling over a sheep which lies at the foot of a shrub, 

 and the words appear to be, " WILLE BE STILLE AND 

 OFTE MITE YOU HAVE YEY (thy ?) WILLE." 

 This Seal is now in the possession of H. Nelson Groddard, 

 Esq. of Cliff Pypard. 



No. 5.— -A beautiful Seal bearing the name and arms of Thomas 

 Giffard (probably of Boyton, temp. Henry YI). Three 

 lions passant in pale. The matrix is in the possession of 

 Mr. John Ellen of Devizes, but whence he obtained it is not 

 remembered. Mr. Albert Way considers the Seal to belong 

 to the earlier quarter of the 15th century ; certainly not 

 prior to a. d. 1400 ; and very suitable to a person who lived 

 in the reign of Henry VI. 



A word in conclusion upon Wiltshire Seals in general. Seals, 

 like coins, besides being very often most interesting as works of 

 art, afford so much information on points of provincial or local 

 history, that no apology is needed for venturing to suggest to the 

 guardians of strong closets and venerable trunks, that it is, per- 

 haps, within their power to furnish out of those sacred repositories, 

 specimens of rare and beautiful workmanship in this kind, to 

 which admission would be gladly given in the pages of this Maga- 

 zine. The writer is informed by Mr. Way, that Mr. Ready, a 

 gentleman well known for his skill in moulding from impressions, 

 has lately been permitted to work amongst the records of Win- 

 chester college, and has succeeded in recovering nearly 500 capital 

 Seals, amongst which is an impression of the Esturmy Seal above 

 described. Such an example deserves first to be mentioned and 

 then to be imitated : for the same fate that befell the poetical 

 treasures of Juvenal's friend Codrus is only too surely at all times 

 awaiting records and memorials of other kinds, when so carefully 



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