An amazing collection of digital images. Note that in Advanced Search, you can limit by country and range of dates (say 400 to 1400 C.E.). Or try the Illuminated Manuscript or Paintings Collection.
A bit difficult to search, but worth the effort. Use quotation marks around your search terms, and limit the "Type" to "Article." and History journals.
Books in the Library's First Floor Reference Section (Cannot be borrowed)
Cassell's Latin Dictionary by D. P. Simpson
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: PA 2365 E5 C3 1977
You may have to consult one or more dictionaries to find the word(s)in the inscription of your seal.
A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases by Christopher Corèdon; Ann Williams
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: DA129 .C67 2004
Publication Date: 2005
This book, as the title implies will help you decipher phrases on your seal.
Dictionary of Symbols by Carl G. Liungman
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: BL603 .L5413 1991
The library has several symbol dictionaries, use the following call numbers to locate these books: BL 603 and N7740. These dictionaries are in two different places!
Dictionary of the Middle Ages by Joseph R. Strayer
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: D 114 .D5 1982
ISBN: 0684190737
This is the source reference source for Medieval History! Dr. Adamo has a personal copy the work!
Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage by Peter Townsend
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: CS420 .B85
Burke's Peerage is the definitive genealogical guide to the royal families of Europe.
Dictionary of National Biography
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection - DA 28 D47
If you have identified the figure on seal as a Brit, this set of books will probably have a biography of your person
Oxford Companion to Christian Art and Architecture
Call Number:
Library First Floor - Reference Collection: N7830 .M87 1996
Publication Date: 1996
A useful source for short biographies and definitions.
This site might be helpful in determine what type of seal you have: royal, municipal, religious, etc. The Durham Cathedral Muniments, now in the care of Durham University Library Archives & Special Collections, are one the richest British archives for surviving medieval seals.
The Handbook to English Heraldry by Charles Boutell
Good Impressions is an exhibition catalog for the show at the British Museum that showcased its collection of seals. The essays in this catalog address why and who used seal from 1100-1540 AD.
The Oxford Dictionary of the Middle Ages by Robert E. Bjork
This resource, though not at as thorough as the Dictionary of the Middle Age, it does includes many topics:art and architecture, medicine, and law, archaeology, ecclesiastical history, languages and literature.
Books in the Library's Circulating (Borrowable) Section
This text provides an overview of Medieval art and includes references that help you focus more directly on a specific time period. It is also a beautiful book to look at! Click to see if it is available