About Us
At NobleSeals, we bring history to life through the recreation of equestrian and
great seals used by medieval kings, queens, and nobility, as well as the coats
of arms of sovereign nations. These seals were not just symbols of authority
but vital tools in authenticating documents and signifying power. Seals were used across medieval society by nobility, guilds, city-states, and landowners to certify agreements and correspondence.
Our mission is to revive the seals of the most notable knights and historical
figures, allowing you to seal your letters with the same gravitas as those who
shaped history.
Tyoes of Seals
Great Seals of the Realm
Great Seals have been used since the medieval period as instruments of sovereign
authority, authenticating important state documents such as charters,
proclamations, and treaties. In England, the use of a Great Seal was formally
introduced by Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. The Great Seal is
traditionally double-sided, created using two separate matrices—one for the
obverse and one for the reverse. The front (seal of majesty) usually depicts the monarch
enthroned, surrounded by their official title in Latin, symbolising their role
as sovereign ruler. The reverse (equestrian counterseal) commonly shows the monarch on
horseback, encircled by the same or a variant of their title, reflecting their
role as military leader and defender of the realm. These seals served not only
as legal validation but also as powerful expressions of royal identity and
legitimacy.
Equestrian Seals
Equestrian seals were a prominent form of heraldic and official imagery throughout the medieval period, particularly among monarchs and high-ranking nobles. These seals typically featured the figure of a mounted knight or ruler, armed and armoured, often carrying a shield and banner bearing their coat of arms. First appearing in the 11th and 12th centuries, equestrian seals were closely associated with the ideals of knighthood, martial prowess, and feudal authority. They symbolised the bearer’s role not just as a sovereign or lord, but as a warrior and protector of the realm. Used to authenticate charters and other legal documents, these seals conveyed both power and legitimacy. In the case of monarchs, equestrian imagery often formed the reverse of the Great Seal.
Usage Guide
Medieval wax seals were traditionally made from a blend of beeswax, pigments, and resin for durability. Modern waxes use polymers which are very robust and can be purchased on websites such as ebay or amazon.
50mm seals are best used in combination with large glue guns and large wax sticks due to amount of wax required.
30mm seals can be used with small glue guns or wax spoons.
About the Owner
Hello, I’m Douglas, the owner of Noble Seals. My passion for history, articularly the medieval period, has been a lifelong journey.
As an avid medieval reenactor, I have a long background in both sport fencing and Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA), specialising in medieval longsword. I also practise traditional archery with the famed English longbow.
Academically, I studied paleo-environmental sciences with a BSc in Biogeography at Brighton University, followed by an MSc in Geoecology and an MA in Environmental Archaeology at Umeå University in Sweden. These studies focus on reconstructing
past environments which ties into medieval history and the eventual creation of Noble Seals
Outsideof this, I work as an ecological consultant, protecting wildlife in the England.