Medieval seal mould which promised a ‘fast-track to heaven’ to go on display

A rare medieval seal mould which would have promised a “fast track to heaven” is going on display after being discovered in a field where it had laid undiscovered for more than 500 years.

The matrix, which is made of cast copper-alloy and dates between 1470 and 1520 was found by a metal detectorist just two miles away in the parish of Lockerley, Hampshire, which had been the site of a former medieval market.

The small carved mould, measuring just 60mm x 40mm, is likely to have been used to authenticate indulgences at nearby Mottisfont which was an important Augustinian priory and a site of pilgrimage.

A newly acquired seal, thought to be associated with Mottisfont when it was a priory, March 2022 (National Trust/PA Wire)

The matrix is to go on display at Mottisfont, which is run by the National Trust, from July 29 making it the first of its kind in the UK to be reunited with its original home.

A spokeswoman for the charity said: “Although once quite wealthy, the priory’s finances had been badly affected when the Black death plague swept through Europe in the 1340s.

The south front is predominantly 18th-century (National Trust/PA Wire)

“The pope granted permission for the priory to sell pardons in return for money to support its work – the medieval equivalent of today’s fundraiser.

“Indulgences were written pardons for sinful behaviour granted by religious institutions like Mottisfont in return for a financial donation.

“They removed one year and 40 days off the purchaser’s time in purgatory after death while they waited for entrance to heaven.

“The documents were certified with a wax impression created by the carving on the seal matrix when pressed into hot coloured wax.”

The seal matrix is inscribed in Latin with ‘sigillu[m] officii prioris p[ri]oretas sce trinitat[is] de Motesfont’, which means Seal of the Official of the Prior of the Priory of Mottisfont.

It features a carved depiction of the trinity and a figure of a praying cleric, probably Mottisfont’s prior or another member of the community.

George Roberts, curator at the National Trust, said: “Although the seal matrix dates from late in the priory’s history it reflects the role the site would have played in medieval people’s lives since its foundation in the early 1200s.

“Pilgrims travelling between the great cathedrals at Salisbury and Winchester are likely to have passed Mottisfont and may well have stayed and worshipped with the community there.

Sale of indulgences, 1517 – In the picture, from left to right, the money collector, the seal maker, who made the seals for the indulgences and the cardinal (SZ Photo/National Trust/PA Wire)

“All this was done to help secure a place in heaven after their death. However, before they could reach heaven, they believed they would need to spend time in purgatory to be purified.

“By being able to sell indulgences, Mottisfont Priory could offer people a reduction in their time in purgatory – in effect, fast-tracking them to heaven. This of course came with a price, which was then used to support the priory’s finances.”