[MR] History Blog: Elephant & Castle Seal Matrix

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends,

Today the History Blog reports on a rare medieval seal matrix depicting an
elephant carrying a "war castle" that has been acquired by Norwich Castle
Museum.

The matrix was discovered in 2020 by a metal detectorist near King's Lynn
in Norfolk. The piece has a gold surround, with a central gemstone (stone
type not identified, sorry) carved to represent an elephant carrying a
fortified fighting tower or "howdah" upon its back. The elephant and its
castle became something of a meme in England, the symbol for the Worshipful
Company of Cutlers in London, and "Elephant and Castle" has been the name
for countless pubs.

Curiously, there is no name of the matrix's owner, something usually
present on seal matrices since they represented the owner's signature. What
was thought to be a cryptic Latin inscription is on the surround. The
wording is now believed to be in French and refers to legends about dragons
and elephants.

Dragons and elephants in medieval context are then discussed in the
article, along with some really charming illuminations.

The story and the matrix can be seen at
https://www.thehistoryblog.com/archives/72530 .

More about seals and seal matrices, including a long section on their use
in the middle ages, is found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_(emblem)
.

Elephants in European history are discussed at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_elephants_in_Europe .

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆
Continuing a crusade to keep the original Merry Rose relevant and in
business.