Medieval pointed-oval-shaped copper-alloy seal matrix found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. The central field shows a castle with a large door containing a raised portcullis, and a turret at each end of the roof. On

Medieval pointed-oval-shaped copper-alloy seal matrix found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. The central field shows a castle with a large door containing a raised portcullis, and a turret at each end of the roof. On the roof stands a bird facing right swallowing a crook . Either side of the bird is a key. Legend has a cross at the top point and reads "S'CASTELLANI.DE.BOVSENCOVRT". Possibly late 13th-14th century AD.

Seal matrix

Medieval, about late 13th-14th century AD

Found by a metal detectorist at Meonstoke, Hampshire in 2002

This pointed-oval copper-alloy seal leaves a clear impression in the red sealing wax. The central field shows a castle with a large door containing a raised portcullis. On the roof stands a right-facing bird swallowing what appears to be a crook. Either side of the bird is a key. The legend starts with a cross at the top of the point and reads "S'CASTELLANI.DE.BOVSENCOVRT". This translates as "the seal of the castellan of Bousencourt". The castellan was the keeper or governor of a medieval castle, and might be expected to hold the keys. The location of Bousencourt is uncertain. However, a web-search revealed that there is a modern place called Bouzencourt near to Amiens in the Picardy region of north-east France, with limited evidence for a medieval castle at nearby Le Hamel. Future research might tell us more.

Medieval pointed-oval-shaped copper-alloy seal matrix found by metal detector at Meonstoke, Corhampton and Meonstoke, Hampshire. The central field shows a castle with a large door containing a raised portcullis, and a turret at each end of the roof. On