First seal, used until c.1200, of Gilbert, earl of Strathearn (d.1223), depicting Gilbert on horseback to *sinister*, wearing chain armour and a round-topped helmet. He carries a grooved sword in his right hand, slanting upwards behind his head, and there is a shield, decorated with a cross *voided* with base in centre, suspended from his neck. The horse has a saddle-cloth ornamented at its foot with eight small points, and a distinct bridle.
Image description (reverse)
Legend (obverse)
SIGILL’ GILLEBERTI COMITIS DE STRATHERN (“Seal of Gilbert, earl of Strathearn”).
Legend (reverse)
Catalogue
P/Stra/1/1
Notes
According to Stevenson and Wood, only the obverse of this apparently double-sided seal survives; on the strength of his later seal, however, which was single-sided (incorrectly described by Stevenson and Wood), it seems more likely that this was a single-sided seal used together with the earl's counterseal.
Dimensions: 2 3/8 in. diameter.
SW III, p.625.