People of Medieval Scotland
1093 - 1371

Seal-Matrix: Dervorguilla Balliol (d.1290)

Owner
Dervorguilla (Balliol) of Galloway (d.1290)
Matrix Shape
pointed oval
Image description (obverse)
Dervorguilla shown full-length, wearing a wimple and a long robe, standing on a corbel and holding a shield in each hand. The *dexter* shield bears an *orle*, representing the Balliol family, the *sinister* a lion *rampant*, representing her paternal dynasty of Galloway. Beneath each shield is a tree, with a shield suspended; the dexter shield bears three *garbs* to represent Chester, the sinister bears two *piles* *in point* for Huntingdon.
Image description (reverse)
A tree with three branches, from which is suspended one large shield depicting a lion *rampant* crowned, representing Galloway, impaling an *orle* *dimidiated* for Balliol. A smaller shield to dexter bears three *garbs* (Chester); another to sinister bears two *piles* *in point* (Huntingdon).
Legend (obverse)
S’ DERVORGILLE : DE : BALLIOLO: FIL’ : ALANI : DE : GALEWAD (“Seal of Dervorguilla of Balliol, daughter of Alan of Galloway”)
Legend (reverse)
S’ DERVORGILLE : DE : GALEWAD’ : DNE : DE : BALLIOLO (“Seal of Dervorguilla of Galloway, lady of Balliol”)
Catalogue
P/Gall/2
Notes
Dimensions: 2 ¼ × 1 ½ in. SW II, p.368.