(The Development of Seals of the Middle and Lower Clergy in Bohemia and Moravia in the Middle Ages. Basic Overview and Typology)

Abstract: The study focuses on the seals of the middle and lower clergy in Bohemia and Moravia in the Middle Ages. In contrast to the seals of bishops and archbishops, the sphragistic material of, for example, important episcopal officials, officials and vicars general, but also superiors and members of chapters, monastery superiors and priests, has received less attention in the form of partial studies that do not systematically cover the topic. The text provides basic information about the first appearance of seals of the mentioned ecclesiastical dignitaries. It focuses on the motifs they chose for their seals, the reasons for their use and their significance. The iconography of their seals was very varied; one can encounter portrait, hagiographic motifs and their combinations, as well as armorial, inscriptional and topographical motifs. The study also briefly summarizes the development of the use of coloured wax, the changes in the size of individual seals and notes the relationship between the size of seals of church dignitaries and other members of society.

Authors: Bolom-Kotari, Martina

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2024.17.1.64-76

Publication order reference: Mgr. Bc. Martina Bolom-Kotari, Ph.D.; Department of Auxiliary Historical Sciences and Archival Science, Philosophical Faculty, University of Hradec Králové, Rokitanského 62, CZ-500 03 Hradec Králové, Czech Republic; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-3545-5617, SCOPUS Author ID: 57202037633

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2024, vol.: 17, issue: 1, pages: 64-76 (PDF file)

Keywords: MEDIEVAL SIGILLOGRAPHY, ICONOGRAPHY, SEALS, BOHEMIA, MORAVIA, LOWER AND MIDDLE CLERGY

Language: CZECH

Recommended Citation:

Bolom-Kotari, Martina. 2024. Vývoj pečetí středního a nižšího kléru v Čechách a na Moravě ve středověku. Základní přehled a typologie [The Development of Seals of the Middle and Lower Clergy in Bohemia and Moravia in the Middle Ages. Basic Overview and Typology]. In Konštantínove listy [Constantine’s Letters] 17/1, 64-76.