Medieval Flemish Cloth Seals from Saray Al-Djadid (Russia)***

RAI:VAN LAERE* & 01.~:~TROS'îYANSKY** MEDIEVAL FLEMISH CLOTH SEALS FROM SARAY AL-DJADID (RUSSIA)***

Abstrari: During the nliddle hges the production of broad cloth is one of the niain sourres of income for the I,ow Countries and especially Flanders. Organic niaterials such as textile leale very few remains which inakes them difficult to trace in archarologiral research. Medieval cloth uTassealed with lead seals by the ci\ ic authorities of the cities where it was produced. However medieval Flemish cloth seals are il1 studied. A few suggestions for a new approach based on the fornial properties of these lead seals are made. A series of surface finds in Saray al-Djaclid (Russia), the ancient capital of the Golden IIorde, and some neigh- boring towns provide neur insights in the lrade of Flemish cloth during the 14th century. Seals of several rloth prodiicing Fleniish cities urere identified: Aire (F), Danime, nlechelcn, Popcringe, Tournai and Ypres. Others could not yet been identified. For tlie first time a lead tubular seal is published bearing the badge of the Jochids.

The production of woolen cloth has been one of the major foundation stones of the economic and cultiiral rise of the Southern 1,ow Countries during the Middle Ages. The origins of cloth production in Flanders are not very well documented but it is clear that from the end of the Ilt" century onwards cloth production evolved from a domestic occupation to a highly specialized proto-industrial activity focusing on the export of high quality products. During the 13th and the first half of the 141h century tlie production of woolen cloth was at its apex in Flanders. The esport of high quality Flemish cloth took two directions. The Hanseatic League monopolized trade with Northern Europe and adjacent parts of Russia. The exact extent of these exports is difficult to judge since local - Russian and other - sources at the end of the trade chain are either inex- istent or insufficienlly esploited by historic research. The cloth itself has long since disappeared and left hardly an- traces but for the lead cloth seals. These inconspicuous witnesses are prone to survive where organic material such as textile is destroyed by wear and tear, insects, water and time. The find of e.g. a cloth seal of Tournai during archaeological excavations at Novgorod illustrates the possibilities offered by this kind of

* Kaf Y.\N L.\EIIE,Rozenstraat 22, H-3500 Hasselt. E-rnail: [email protected]. ** Oleç TROS~Y,~NSK\-,S. Jlihailova 1-2W2, RU- Cliebokskary 428015. E-mail: shwï[email protected]. *** Uoth authors are grateful to Evgeny Goncharov (Iristitute of Oriental Studies of the Russian hcademy of Sciences, Moscow) who kindly commented on the first draft of tliis article. ohjects.' But for the moment lack of archaeological evidence makes it hard or even impossible to follow Flemish cloth from Novgorod deeper into Russia and Asia. A large part of the export however depended on the Champagne Fairs where Italian mercharits bouglit Flernish clolh to export it to the Medi- terranean and the Near East. After the decline of the Champagne Fairs during the last quarter of the 13th century Genoa concentrated on the direct sea route through the Atlantic to the cloth producing cities of I'landers, especially Bruges. The 13thcentury was one of the most fascinating periods in the Middle Ages. For the first time since the end of the Roman hegemony Europe was linked with a global network that stretched from the Iberian peninsula in the West to China in the East and from Scandinavia in the North to Indonesia and the African coasts of the Indian Ocean in the South. Europe was an equal partner but situated somewhat at the periphery. The Italian cities rivaled to dominate the trade between Europe and the East. The involvement of Venice in the Criisades resulted in a sometimes uneasy alliance with Mamluk Egypt which made it possibly for her to eliminate partially her rivals especially Genoa. Venice had access, albeit indirectly to the sea route from Egypt to the East and depended for her European contacts for a çood deal on the land route over Germany. The Genoese were avid buyers of Flemish cloth. But the final des- tination of the cloth they bought is difficult to estahlish since, once it arrived in Italy, it hardly left a trace between the numerous other products traded by the Genoese. From the late 13t" century onwards Genoa preferred the sea route to reach Flanders and other European destina- tions. By establishing several trading ports on the coast of the Black Sea especially in the Crimea, Genoa hoped to optimalize its Eastern trade over the land route through Central Asia. Xpparently the ancient Silk Road happened to be relatively safe during the larger part of the 13th century. The fact that both the Roman Catholic Church and the Mon- gols several times tried to establish good mutual relation undoubtedly favored the economic links at some point. But even before the advent of the Black Death in the middle of the 14t'' century the situation had changed. As the interna1 strive between and within the Mongol succes- sor states increased, the land route to China became increasingly unsafe. But both Genoa and Venice continued their commercial activities on the coast of the Black Sea for other reasons such as slave trade and kept in touch with the Golden Horde."

' J. BL;\NI

The presence of Flemish cloth seals from the last quarter of the 14"' wntury in the ancient capitals of the Golden Horde gives us the first tangible proof of the export of Flemish woolen cloth in the area north of the Caspian Sea at the threshold of the Silk Road. Although it is not impossible that the Flemish cloth reached the Golden Horde by the way of Genoese traders that bought it directly in Bruges or elsewhere in Flan- drrs, it seems more probable that it followed the Baltic route and crossed Russia from Novgorod downwards.

Cloth seals

During the Middle Ages and Modern Times woolen cloth played a niajor role in the prosperity of both large and small towns of the Low Countries. It should come as no surprise that these towns closely super- l-ised the quality of the cloth produced within their jurisdiction. Quality control linked with a tendency to monopolize the production of cloth and to out market competitors were a constant in the economic preoccupa- tions of town councils. Quality control was materialized in lead seals. It is not clear when and where lead seals were introduced as quality niarks for textile. It has been suggested that their use was inspired by Byzantine examples. But since these Byzantine seals were probahly of the bulla-type the question of the origin of the other types of lead seals remains unsolved. The oldest normative text that mentions the use of seals is dated 1220 and cornes from Maastricht.? However there is no reason to suggest that Maastricht was innovating here. It seems plausible that seals were introduced in Planders as early as the 12thcentury. By the middle of the 13''' century the use of lead seals was common practice not only in Flanders but also in Holland, France, Italy, Germany and S~ain.~ Even in the Low Countries, where cloth making was a major export industry, the study of lead seals has been neglected to the point that general overviews are still nonexistent. Literature dates often from the lgth century or is scattered over a large number of local publications that are difficult to trace."

Medieval World), Harlow, 2005 and especially chapter 11 Traders and adr~enturers, p. 290 sqs. for a somewhat more nuanccd point of view. %,OP.~EXDRENK, NOS sculieti, scabini et universitas cic~iumin Trajecto. Verfassung und Herrschuftsgefügr der Stadt Maastrichl im 13. Jahrhundert, 2006 (diss. Trier). ' 1,. CLEJIENS,Tuchsiryel, in Cr. SIGNOHI(ed.), Bas Siegel. tiebrauch und Bedrulung, Darmstadt, 2007, p. 167-174. "uring the lgth century several rioles and articles on aBelgian0 lead seals were published in the RB,V. Ttie most informative for the niedirval period are: L.~ES- CI~AJIPSDE PAS,Quelques méreauz et plombs de marque relatifs à l'Artois, in RBN, 23, 1867, p. 114-131: seals of Saint-Omer (I;) (p. 127-130), Poperinge (p. 130), Aire (F) (p. 130), Arras (F) (p. 130-131) most of which were found in Thérouanne (F); E.H. VAN HENL)~:,1,ettrr dr 11.1. Van Ilende à M. R. Chalon, président de la Sociéié royule 106 RAF VAS I~AEREa ~LEGTROSTYAXSKY

Recent publications by Egan%nd several German scholarsi are of limited use since each country seems to follow its own traditions when sealing cloth or other products. The existing information on lead seals learns us that generalization is nearly impossible. Each town had its own rules that changed in the course of time. In some cases a seal guaranteed the quality of the weaving, another the quality of the fulling and a third the quality of the coloring, the length etc. Sometimes different seals were used for each quality control, in other towns a second, a third etc. stamp was applied on the same seal. In some cases the number of lead seals used on a piece of cloth could even give a general indication of its quality. Not only texts but also archaeological finds of textile fragments with one, two, three and more seals testify of the diverse uses of lead seals. These differences explain why no generally accepted modern terminology seems to exist. The English expression cloth seul finds a parallel in Dutch textiellood but it is broader than the equally Dutch lakenlood or the French plomb de drapiers or plomb de draperie and narrower than the German Bleiplombe that seems to find its equivalent in the French plomb de marque or plomb de marchandise. Originally the Dutch word Iood was used indifferently for al1 kind of lead seals used for woolen cloth, customs etc. The more specific terminology seems to be the result of a late - lgth or even 20th century - evolution.' For this reason we earlier proposed a more technical and neutral terminologyvhat can be used without preju- dice even when the exact use of a lead seal is unknown as is the case with seal Sa 46.

de numismatique, in RBh', 37, 1881, p. 137-139: a seal of Bondue (F); A. IIK WITTE, [Compte rendu: M. Dancoine vient de publier dans les Mémoires de la commission dépar- tementale des monuments historiques du Pas de Calais un article plein d'érudition sur les plombs des draps de Béthune], in RBIV, 45, 1889, p. 366-369: rcattribution of a seal to Ath; Cr. CUMOXT,Recherches numismatiques. Troisiime article.VI. Plomb de draps de Bruges, in KBN, 52, 1896, p. 182-184; G. CY~IONT,Numismatique malinoise, in RR'V, 52, 1896, p. 226-230; V. TOURNEITR,Plombs de draperie de Diest, in RBN, 78, 1926, p. 201-204. For France A. SABATIER,Sigillographie hislorique des adminislrations fis- cales, communautés ouvrières et institutions diverses ayant employé des sceaux de plomb (xrve-xviir' siècles). Plombs histories de la Saône et de la Seine, Paris, 1912 remains unreplaced but is of limited use for the Middle Ages. " G. Ec.w, Lead Cloth Seals and Related Items in the British Museum (British Museum Occasional Paper, 93), London, 1994 with an extensive bibliography; M. MITCHINER,Jetons, Medalets & Tokens. II. The Low Countries and France, London, 1991, p. 945-963 gives several Flemish and Dutch medieval lead seals mainly found in the Thames in London. E.g. C. SPINDLEK,Bleiplomben aus Braunschweiger Funden, Braunschweig, 2005 and D. HITTISGKH,Tuchplomben. Warenzeichen des spaten ~Vlittelaltersund der IVeuzeit aus dem norddvutschen Küstengebiel, hachen, 2008. Het woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal op cd-rom, Den Haag, 2003 s.v. Lood § k and 1. R. VANLAERE, Tongeren: loden verzegelingen uit het ancien regime, in RBN, 148, 2002, p. 139-152. JIEDIbVAL FLEhIISH CLOTH SEALS FROJI SARAY AI.-DJAIIID 107

During the Middle Ages several types of lead seals were used in Flan- ders. The most common type is the hinged seal. It consists of two circular discs connected by a strip. One of these discs is perforated while the inside of the other disc is provided with a single or a double security pin. This pin pierces the cloth and is put through the hole of the other disc before being flattened in the process of the sealing. If in doubt the pierced disc is cousidered to be the obverse since the corresponding side usually bears the coat of arms of the issuing town or the "most important" icono- graphie element. The disc with the pint on its backside is considered to be the reverse since it mostly bears a secondary iconographic motive. Once the seal has been closed it is impossible to open it without leaving clear traces on the obverse disc. This type largely corresponds to Sabatier's sceau à plateaux, the English rivet or riveted seal as described by Egan and the German Scheibensfifiplornbe as described by Hittinger.l0 Tubular seals consist of a small lead tube that is directly affixed to the cloth. It is impossible to distinguish a technical obverse or reverse. Tubu- lar seals often bear only one impression. If there are two iconographic sides, the side with the coat of arms of the issuing town is considered to be the obverse. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish the tubular seal from the bulla-type which consists of a thick circular disc that is pierced diagonally with a tunnel. A string passed through this tunnel is used to tie the seal to a document, a piece of cloth or some object. Several variet- ies of this type exist but until now none was found at Saray.

Identification

Most early lead seals lack an inscription which makes their identification difficult and often hazardous. Since cloth seals are officia1 marks of quality one can expect them to show the officiai coat of arms of their town of origin. However since heraldic colors lack ou lead seals, coats of arms can change over the years and information on medieval civic arms is not readily available, identification is not always easy." Sometimes the officia1 coat of arms serves only as source of inspiration for a simpler design. Even worse, some seals imitate more or less closely the design of a more successful cloth producing town to enhance the sales. Systematic research based on archaeological and surface finds would be very helpful but remains largely absent for the moment.

'O A. S.\HATI~R,op. cif. [n. 51, p. 8 sqs. and G. EGAN,op. ci!. [n. 61, p. 4 sqs. and D. HITTINGER,op. cit. [n. 71, p. 7 sqs. " The website Heraldry of the world (www.ngw.nl) by Ralf llartemink with nearly 60,000 contcmporary civic coats of arms to date (June 2010) is however extremely useful as a starting point for further research. 108 RAF VAN LAERE & OI.E(; TROSTYANSKY

Aire(-sur-la-Lys) (dépt. Pas-de-Calais, France) or Lo (now part of Lo-Renninge, prov. West-Vlaanderen)

Both the eagle and the lion rampant are very popular heraldic figures in the Low Countries. We also know that both heraldic symbols were used by towns that didn't bear them in their coat of arms. This makes the identification of seals with an eagle and/or a lion but without a legend, very hazardous. The eagle is monocephalic which means that there is no link with the Holy Roman Empire. Shat excludes towns such as Aalst (French Alost, prov. Oost-Vlaanderen), Geraardsbergen (French Grammont, prov. Oost-Vlaanderen), Ninove (prov. Oost-Vlaanderen) and others which bear the bicephalic imperial eagle in their coat of arms. Since the eagle/lion seals found at Saray display high artistic qualities it seems justified to look first at important towns such as Ghent (prov. Oost-Vlaanderen) rather than to sniall towns. The coat of arms of Ghent shows a lion rampant and at the end of the 14thcentury the shield of Ghent is held i.a. by an eagle. However the lion of Ghent is crowned and it is hard to imagine that the proud city of Ghent would leave this detail out." However two small towns: Aire (Dutch Arien) now in France and Lo now part of Lo-Renninge in the Relgian province West-Vlaanderen offer a much better perspective. Aire, situated on the river Lys, a tributary of the Scheldt, seems to have been founded in 641. Later it was fortified by the counts of Flan- ders in their battle against the Vikings. Finally Philip of Alsace, count of Flanders (1168-1191), simply confirmed the city rights in 1188. A few years later, in 1196 Aire was detached from Flanders to be added to the county of Artois. In 1199 the seal of Aire shows a lion rampant while a monocephalic eagle appears on the counterseign." The small town of Lo, now part of Lo-Renninge, offers another pos- sibility. Although the seal of Lo from the 16th century onwards shows a bicephalic eagle we know that in the 14th century the eagle was monocephalic. At that same period a counterseign with a lion rampant was used.14 In 1168 Lo received privileges from Philip of Alsace, count of

'%. VI.-\ENF.-\VOLTERS& E. WARI.OP,Gemeentewapens in België. Vlaanderen en Brussel. 1. Vlaanderrn A-L, Brussel, 2002, p. 338-344 and M. SERVAES,Armorial des provinces et des communes de Belgique, Bruxelles, 195.5, p. 414-417 and A. DE GHEL- i.irci; \Ta~~~~~~~r<,Sceaux el armoiries des uilles, communes, échevinages, châtellenies, métiers et seigneuries de la Flandre ancienne et moderne, Paris, 1935, p. 164-170; M. MITCIIINER,op. cit [n. 61, p. 948-949 gives a few lcad seals of Ghent with a clear legend on which the crown of the lion is hardly visible. '9.DE GHELLINCK \'.~ERNE\VYCK, op. cit. In. 121, p 34-35. For the cloth industry in Aire-sur-la-Lys see G. ESPINAS& II. PIRENNE,Recueil de documents relatifs à l'histoire de l'industrie drapière en Flandre. Première partie. Des origines à l'époque bourgui- gnonne. Torne premier (Aire-sur-la-Lys - Courtrai), Bruxelles, 1906, p. 1-40. " A. DE GHEI.I.INCKVAERNEWYCK, op. cit. [n. 121, p. 233-234 and J. Gri~sso~s, Iles petits deniers de Flandre des srte et xrrr' sircles (Cercle d'études numismatiques. hlEDIEV.\I. FLEMISH CLOTII SE&I>SFROM ShR4Y AL-DJALIID 109

Flanders (1168-1191). In spite of the existence of an annual market the tom-n never really flourished. However cloth industry is well attested until the 14th century. In later times cheese production became the most important economic activity.15 Sigillographic traditions of several towns place the most important heraldic element on the "technical" obverse of the seal. For Aire this would mean the lion, for Lo the eagle. Looking at the seals found in Saray one is tempted to identify them with cloth seals of Lo but in the lgth century similar seals were without much arguments attributed to .Aire where the tradition of cloth manufacturing was older and more persistent.Ib The lack of well documented finds of this type of seal makes any identification uncertain.

Damme (prov. West- Vlaanderen)

There can be no doubt about the identification of the seal of Damme. In 1180 the city of Damme was granted privileges by Philip of Alsace, eount of Flanders (1168-1191). Originally the city was called Honds- dnrnme. The coat of arms of the city is speaking since it show a dog

- hond in Dutch - running to the - heraldic - right on the central bar of three red / white / red. These arms appear partially on a city seal of 1237. On that seal however there is no trace of the star under the dog as shown on the seals found at Saray. Very few details are known on the textile industry of Damme. The town was especially renowned for its sed harbor which served as an out port of Bruges. Damme had staple rights for herring and wine. About 1240 EIanseatic merchants established them- selves at Damme. Lombards followed a few years later. Damme flourished between the second half of the 12"' century and the century when the Zwin that linked the harbor to the North Sea silted up."

Travaux, 5), Bruxelles, 1971, p. 176 no 512 for numismatic evidence pointing in the 'anle direction. '' L. VI.IENK-\VOYI.~.:RS& E. W.AHLOP,op. cit. [n. 121, p. 633-636 ancl M. SERVAES, op. cil. [n. 121, p. 509-510. For a short history of Lo see D. DE STOHRELEIRS.D. Lo, in H. H.is~r~ir,R. \'AN UVT~EN& .J.-M. DU\.»SQ~EL(dir.), Gemeenten van België. Geschiedkundig en administratief-geografisch woordenboek. 1 Vlaanderen, Brussel, 1980, p. 595-596. H.-E. DE S.AGHERet al., Recueil de documents relatifs à l'histoire de l'industrie drapière en Flundre. Deuxième partie. Le sud-ouest de la Flandr~depuis l'époque &urguignonne. Tome deuxième (Comines-Lo) Bruxelles, 1961, p. 657 states: #... la pefite ville de Lo ne fut janiais plus que le siège d'une toute petite draperie rurale ... Il ne paraît pas qu'une activité textile de quelque importance ait régné à Lo au xrve siècle.)) 'q.DESCFIA.\IPS DE PAS,op. ci!. [n. 51, p. 130, pl. III, nr. 17. .\. SAB~ITIEII,op. rit. [n. J] doesn't mention seals of Ilire-sur-la-I.ys. '' L. VI.~ENE-\YOITTERS& E. \V.~RLOI>,op. cif. [n. 121, p. 249-251 and M. SKH- \-.\ES, op. cit. [n. 121, p. 890-892. The oldest seals are illustrated in A. DE GIIEI.I.INCK V~ERSE\\~YCK,op. rit. [n. 121, p. 119-122. For a short note on the history of Darnme 110 RAF VAN 1.AERE & OLEG TROSTYANSKY

Ieper (French Ypres, prov. West- Vlaanderen)

Although a cross patriarchal appears on the coat of arms of two Flem- ish towns - Roeselare (French Roulers) and Ypres - there can hardly be any doubt that the lead seals discussed here are from Ieper. The oldest town seal extant, dating from 1199, already shows the cross patriarchal. The cloth industry from Ypres fully developed during the 121h century. Interna1 political strife lead in 1280 to the Cockerulle revolt which reflected the growing economic and political tensions when the cloth industry became under pressure. During the 14th century the economic situation deteriorated as a result of the restrictions on the export of Eng- lish wool. The suburbs destroyed in 1383 during a military campaign of an English army were not rebuild for tactical and demographic reasons. John the Fearless, duke of Burgundy (1404-1419) revoked the privileges of Ypres and the town rapidly lost its importance due to the cornpetition of cheap cloth produced in rural Flemish comrnunitie~.'~In spite of the large quantities of cloth produced at and exported from Ieper during the Middle Ages, lead seals from Ypres are reputed to be rarelg but during archaeological excavations in the Verdronken Weide at Ypres at the end of the 20th century over 500 lead seals of Ieper were discovered that show an extreme richness of reverse design^.^^ Since several seals of Ypres published here have a reverse similar to seals found at de Verdronken Weide they have to date from before 1383. 'These seals provide a chronological framework for the other seals found in the Golden Horde area.

see J. MERTENS,S.U. Damme, in FI. IIasy~-IN,R. \'AN UYTVEN& J.-M. D~TYOSQI:EL, op. cit. [n. 151, p. 165-166. '' L. \'I.AENK-WOLJTERS & E. U'ARLOP,Op. cit. [n. 121, p. 480-484 and hl. SKRVAES, op. cit. [n. 121, p. 818-821. M. MI.I.CHINEI~,op. cil. [n. 61, p. 952 gives a few later lead seals of Ypres. For a short note on the history of Ypres see F. P.ITOUS.U. leper, in H. HASQ~JIN,R. V.AN I!YTVEN & J.-M. DYVOSQL-KL,op. cil. [n. 151, p. 431-433. For the medieval cloth industry G. ESPIXIS& H. PIRENNE,op. cif. Tome troisième (La Gorgue

- Ypres) [n. 131, Bruxelles, 1920, p. 437-834 and more recently S. An~atr.inl-T~IssE, "Kostel Ypersch", "gemeyn Ypersch". Les draps d'Ypres en Europe du Kord et de l'Est (XIII' et xrve siècles), in M. DEIVILDE,A. ERVYNCK& A. WIELEJI.INS(eds.), Ypres and the Medieual Cloth Industry in Flanders. Archaelogical and Hislorical Contribution = Ieper en de middeleeuwse lakennijuerheid in Vlaanderen. Archeologische en historische bijdragen (Archeologie in Vlaanderen. Monografie, 2), Asse-Zellik, 1998, p. 125-143 focusing on written sources. in e.g. L. CLENIENS,op. cit. [n. 41, p. 170. " M. DEWILDE& S. VAS BELLINGHES,Excauating a Suburb of ~VedieualYpres (Bel- gium). Evidence for the Cloth Industry, in M. DEIVILDE,A. ERVYNCK& A. WIELEJL~NS, op. cit. [n. 181, p. 57-76, h detailed publication of al1 the cloth seals found during this excavation is planned. XIEDIEVAL FLEMISH CLOTH SOhLS FI

Mechelen (French Malines, prov. An twerpen)

=\t first sight the identification of the seal of Mechelen is not obvi- ous since it doesn't resemble the coat of arms that was used from the Late Middle Ages onwards. The lead seals of Mechelen show a crosier to the - heraldic - right. The identification is confirmed by a seal from the collections of the British Museum.21 The coat of arms on the seals of Nechelen from 1268 and 1302 show a shield with three pales - the arnis of the Berthout family - behind a crosier. These arms were in use at least until the middle of the 1.Y" century.'qhe medieval history of 'lechelen is rather complex. At first the seigniory of Mechelen belonged to the prince-bishop of Liège. But a local aristocratie family, called Bert- hout, tried to emancipate Mechelen with the alternate support of the counts of Flanders and the dukes of Brabant. From the 12th century onwards wool industry became the dominating economic activity. Ships from Mechelen that fetched wool from England exported finished cloth that was much in demand because of its high quality. In the years follow- ing 1301 the town received several privileges e.g. the staple rights of salt, fish and oats. In 1357 Louis of Male, count of Flanders (1346-1384), was finally able to eliminate the overlordship of the prince-bishop of Liège. _ifter his death Mechelen was integrated in the Burgundian Low Coun- tries as an independent seigniory.

Poperinge (prov. West- Vlaanderen)

The coat of arms of Poperinge shows a gloved right hand to the - heraldic - right, holding a crosier to the - heraldic - right. These arms refer to the abbots of Saint Bertin's in the French city Saint-Omer who were the feudal lords of Poperinge till the French Revolution. The town, that n-as never enclosed by a wall, received its first privileges in 1147 frorn Thierry of Alsace, count of Flanders (1128-1168). Since no early seals of the city are known the lead seals published here can be considered to be the oldest more or less datable seals of the t~wn.~~During the 13'hcentury

" G. EGAN,op. cit. [n. 61, p. 112, no 325 and 326. The reverse however doesn't seem to correspond with the reverse of the seals found in Gulestan and Saray. '". '". VI.AE?IE-\VOC.I'ERS& E. W.AHLOP,op. cil. [n. 121, p. 28-32 and M. SEKVAES, op. cil. [n. 121, p. 732-734. For a short note on the history of Mechelen see H. JOOSEN A S. V.ANUEXBKRGHEsub verbo 'Mechelen', in H. HASQ~JIX,R. VAN UYTVEN& J.-M. DYVOSQUEL,op. rit. [n. 151, p. 639-645. '' L. V~AEXK-~'O~TERS& E. \~.ARLOP, Gemeentewapens in Belgie. Vlaanderen en Brussel. II. Vlaanderen iW-Z, Brussel, 2002, p. 158-161 (the more recent coat of arms shows a crosier ta the - heraldic - left) and M. SEHVAES,op. cif. [n. 121, p. 365- 366. Cloth seals of Poperinge were published by L. D~sc~a~i~sDE Pas, op. cit. [n. 51, p. 130, pl. III, nrs 14-16. For a short note on the history of Poperinge see F. P.~i.or: s.0. Poperinge, in H. ~I.ASQLIN,R. V.ix Ii~i'v~x& J.-11. DI'VOSQL~EI.(dir.), Gemeenfen 112 RAY VAS I>-\EHE & OI>EG Tl

Tournai (Dutch Doornik, prov. Hainaut)

Several towns in the southern Low Countries and northern France share a tower in their coat of arms but the seal found in the Crimea is clearly from Tournai. 'Tournai is one of the few Belgian towns that can boast of its Roman origin. During the Middle Ages it distributed its allegiances between the king of France and the count of Flanders. The changes of camp were reflected in its coat of arms. Lilies appeared when the king of France was favored but when he fell out of grace they disappeared. Since lilies are present here, the seal has to date from a period of French dominance. During a turbulent 141h century Tournai lost and regained its privileges several times which makes it very difficult to date this lead seal with certainty. Stylistic elements and the presence of a legend - SEEL which rneans seal in the local parlance - seem to suggest a date late in the 14'h or early in the 15Ih century although an earlier date cannot be excluded totally. If this hypothesis is correct the seal probably dates from between 1370 and 1423.24 There are some indications that during the Late Roman period military clothing was produced in Tournai. Although stone quarries seem to be the most important economic element during the Middle Ages, the wool trade is well attested from the Ilt" century onwards. The next century merchant of Tournai participated in the hanseatic trade on London. We know that by that time cloth of Tournai was widely exported e.g. to Novgor~d.~~.At the end of the 14th and the beginning of the 15L"century a period of decline started. Its position on the frontier between France and the Southern Low Countries made it very vulnerable to military con- flict~.~"

iiun België. Geschiedkundig en administrafirf-grogrufisch u~oordenboek. 2 Vluunderen - Hrussel, Brussel, 1980, p. 881-883. For the cloth industry of Poperirigc sce Cr. ESPINAS di H. PIRENNE,op. cil. Tome troisième (La Corgue - T7pres), [n. 181, Bruxelles, 1920, p. 98-222. M. MI.TCIIINER,op. cif. [n. 61, p. 953 shows a lead scal of Tournai with a tower accosted by lilies. But this seal seems to be clearly later. '9.BLAXKOPF, op. cif. [n. 1). 2~~oiriescomn~unales en Belgique. Conimunrs wallonnes, hruzelloises et gnrna- nophones. II, Bruxelles, 2002, p. 749-7.53 and M. SEKV.IES,op. cif. [II. 121, p. 268- ! Shield with cross ,\lthough crosses are less popular in the heraldry of the Low Countries than lions and eagles it is hardly possibly to identify such coats of arms aithout colors or legends. Free standing crosses that don't touch the border of the shield such as the one on the lead seal found at Saray could not be traced to a specific town. The crescent and the crosslet accosting the shield don't help much either. If one concentrates on the western part of Flanders there is only one medieval town, known for textile industry ahich bears a cross in its coat of arms: Izegem (French Iseghem). But the cross is plain and blazoned twelve martlets in orle. These arms were used b?- the local lords of Izegem at least from 1238 onwards. It is not impossible that the city of Izegem used a simplified version of these arms on its lead seals. Izegem is an old seigniory that was promoted to a county in 1688. During the Late Middle Ages it became an important centre for linen industry. Linen cloth from Izegem was exported worldwide in spite uf the obstruction of towns as Kortrijk (French Courtrai) and Roeselare but possibly the linen industry \vas preceded by wool industry."

Golden Horde - Jochids

On the only tubular seal figures the lamyha or badge of the descen- dants of .Tochi (CU.580 / 1184 - 624 / 1227), the eldest son of Chengis Khan and ancestor of the Khans of the Golden Horde. Jochi was born approximately nine months after his niother, Chengis Khan's wife Borte, nas abducted by the Merkid tribe. At the end of his life he seems to have been on bad terms with his father who died several months after his eldest son. Paternity doubts were amongst the reasons why the descen- dants of .Tochi were excluded from succeeding Chengis Khan. After the death of Jochi, his eldest son Orda and his second son Batu inherited his realm and founded respectively the White Horde and the Golden H~rde.~' This badge appears for the first time in 671 / 127213 on coins of hlangu Timur (663 / 1267 - 675 / 1280), the great-grandson of Jochi and one of

270. For a short notc on the history of Tournai see C. VRANCKEX-PI~K~-D'EIO~I>TE& G. PHEIIL)'HO>I\TE,S.U. Doornik, in H. IIas~uini,R. VAS ~JYTVEX& J.-M. DCVOSQCEI. (dir.), Gerneenten van Uelgii. Geschiedkundig en admini.strutief-geografisch woordenboek. 4 IVallonië, Rrusscl, 1981, p. 2911-2918. " Id. \'I,AENE-\&'OYI_ERS & E. ~Y~KLOP,op. cit. [n. 121, p. 487-489 and M. SER- \..\ES, op. cit. [n. 121, p. 807-808. For a short note on the history of Izegem see J. GELIIHOF,s.11. Izegem, in H. H.\sQL-IN,R. V.is UY.I.YEN& .J.-M. DUYOSQCEI.,op. cit. [n. 151, 1 Vlclander~n,Brussel, 1980, p. 439-442. H.-E. DE S.AGIIEIIet al., op. cit. [n. 151, however doesn't rric~itiousIzegetn as a cloth producing towri. " M. BIK.\?*',S.U. Jori, in E. Y.AHSH.\TEH(ed.), Encyclopaediu Iranica. Vol. XV, fasc. 1, Xew York, 2009, p. 1-2 and .I.A. ROYLE,S.U. Djuci, in B. LEWIS,C. PELI..~T& J. SCH.\CHT(eds.), The Encyclopardia of Islam, New edition, Vol. II, Leiden & London, 1965, p. 571. 114 IiAF \'.Zr\ LAERE & OLE(i TROSTEI~XSKY the most prominent khans of the Golden f10rde.~~The badge was used up to the middle of the 151h century. No similar seal has been puhlished before and its use is unclear. The seals 1 Al1 lead seals discussed here were found on the territory of the Golden Horde. Unfortunately the seals were found without much archaeological context or they were surface finds. The absence of a well documented , context makes it impossible to know whether the seals were part of coher- ent archaeological complexes indicating the existence of a shop of a cloth 1 trader or a tailor or if they were part of a lot of scrap. In 2002 drawings of the Flemish seals were published without much comment by Lebedev and Klokov.'"

Tzarevskoe - Guljstan The Tzarevskoe archeological site, close to the small modern town Tza- rev, is situated on the left bank of the Akhtuba river, a left tributary of the Volga at approximately 100 km from the large city Volgograd. For a long time it was identified with the Golden Horde capital Saray al-Djadid but this identification is no longer accepted. The Tzarevskoe settlement is now considered to be the site of Gulistan (Persian for Rose Garden), the main city of the ulus or Mongolian district of the same name. Between 752 / 1351 - 768 / 1366 it equaled Saray al-Djadid in importance. Dur- ing the period of interna1 struggle (758 / 1357 - 782 / 1380) that followed the death of Djanibek Khan, this region of high economic and strategic importance suffered heavily. The city of Gulistan was abandoned in 767 / 1366 or 768 / 1367 and never reoccupied again."' Although al1 seals from Tzarevskoe were collected without archaeological context the short lifespan of Gulistan makes it possible to date them roughly in the middle of the 14th century. This fits perfectly with information available on the cloth production and trade of Mechelen.

" W. BARTHOLD& Y. BREUELS.U. IVIa~zgu-Tirnur,in C. Bosn'on~i~,E. r.\x DOKZEL & B. LEWIS& C. PELI..AT(eds.), The Encyclopardia of Islam. New edition. Vol. YI, Leiden, 1988, p. 419-420. For coins with a representation of this badge see e.g. M. MITCHINER,Thr World of Islam (Oriental Coins and their Valucs, l), London, 1977, p. 242 sqs. "" V.P. LEHKIIEV& V.N. KLOKOV,The West-European Lead Trade Seals form the Golden Horde Fortified Seftlements, in Rossiyskaya Arkheologiya, 2002, 1, p. 92-100. (= V.P. LEBED~& V.N. KLOKOV) " E.Y. Crosci~~\~ov.Old And Xew Saray - Capital of The Golden Horde (a new look nt sources) to be consulted at tittp://216.15.211.67/byzantinebronzcs.ancients.info/page33.htmlor http://www.islamiccoinsgroup.50g.com/assikka4~old%20and%20new%20saray~620 %20capita1%20of%20the%2ûgolden0/020horde.htrr~. -4 ire or Lo

Gu 1 quater. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position ?; apparently unopened; not accessible, only a drawing available cOb\ .: an eagle within a border of dots R\..: a lion within a border of dots Ref.: \'.P. LEHEDEV& V.N. KIBKOV,drawing 1

Gu 1. Hinged seal; diarri. ca. 2 cm; position 5 o'clock; obverse fragment with remainder of the connecting strip ct)b\-.: a crosier cutting a border of dots Legend: illegible traces of a legend R\-.: traces of an unidentified design

Gu1 bis: lIinged seal; diam. ca. '2 cm; position '?; apparently unopened; not accessible, onlg a drawing and an oldrr picture available c )br.: a crosier Legerid: illegible traces, maybe ]N[ Rr.: traces of an iinidentified design. possible a quartered cross

Selitrennoe - Saray al-~jadid'"

The hi11 of Kuchugus, near the village of Selitrennoe, is located approximately 120 kni to the northwest of the city of Astrakhan. The site is now generally accepted to be Saray al-Djadid. Saray al-Djadid or New Saray was probably founded around 730 / 1329 and replaced Old Saray as the capital of the Golden EIorde at the beginning of the reign of Djanibek Khan who reigned from 742 / 1342 to 758 / 1357. Very little is known of

'' Different spellings are used e.g. Sarai al-Djadida but for the Arab placenames we prefer to follow Thr Encgclopnedia of Islam, New Edition, Ideiden, 1979. 116 1thF \'Ah IIiAERk & OLEG TROS TYANSKY its subsequent history hut one can assume that it took a key position in the trade route to Asia. Saray al-Djadid was ruined by Timur Lang (771 / 1370 - 807 / 1405) during the winter of 797 / 1395. The city was however partially rebuild. Froni 1502 onwards Saray was several times raided by Russian troops and before the end of the century it disappeared from the historical stage. From Pratica della mercatura compiled by Francesco Balducci Pegolotti between 1335 and 1343 it is clear that the importance of Saray as a trade center was well known in Western Europe.'' Over the years 42 lead seals were found close to the south of the salt lake at the site of ancient Saray al-Djadid. Unfortunately they do not come from the regular excavations that have been going on since the early 1970'~.~' If we accept that the attack on Saray hy Timur Lang severely reduced its role as a trade center we are probably right in dating al1 the seals found at Saray between 730 / 1329 and 797 / 1395. This fits with the Bnown dates for the seals of Ypres i.e. the last quarter of the 14th century. However Saray retained its status as a capital during the first third of the 15t" century and we have some information on its cloth trade in 1438.35Whatever the archaeological context of the seals may have been, one can safely assume that the seals of Aire or Lo, Damme, Mechelen and Poperinge al1 roughly date from the second half of the 14"' century.

Aire 1 Lo

Sa 37. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position 12 o'clock; neight 16,65 g; unopencd, obverse corroded, reverse unclear Ohv.: an eagle within a border oî dots Rr.: a lion within a border of dots

33 T . AI.I.SEN,S.U. Saray, in C. BOS\VORTII,E. v.4~DOXZEI. & \Y. HEINRICIIS& CI. LECOMTE(eds.), The Encgclopaedia of Islam, New edition, Vol. IX, Lciden, 1997, p. 11-44 and A. EVANS(ed.), 1;ranresco Ralducci Pegoloffi: Lu prafira della nierrulura, Cariibridge (Ma, USA), 1936 (rcp. Xew 170rk 1970), p. 21 sgs. "' See E.Y. GONCHAROV,op. cil. [n. 311. IV. HIXZ,Eine orienlalische Hundrlsu~ifrrnehn~ungirn 15. Jahrhundert, in Die I.l.'ell des Orients, 4, 1949, p. 313-340. MEDIBVA12 FLEJlISII CL0'I.H SEh1.S FROM S.iR.4U AI,-D.1ADID 117

Sa 38. Hinged seal; diani. ca. 2 cm; position 9 o'clock; weight 16,50 g; unopened Ob\-.: an eagle within a border of dots R\-.: a lion within a border of dots

Sa 39. Hinged seal; diani. ca. 2 cm; position 11 o'clock; weight 17,33 g; unopened Ob\-.: an eagle ~vithina border of dots Rv.: a lion within a border of dots

Sa 40. Hinged scal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position 12 o'clock; weight 16,48 g; uriopencd Ob\-.: an eagle witliin a border of dots Rr.: a lion within a border of dots Ref.: V.P. LEBP,I)EV& IT.N KLOKOI., drawing 1

Sa 41. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 2 crri; position 12 o'clock; weight 15,95 g; unopcncd Obv.: an eagle within a border of dots

Rv.: a lion within a - double (?) - border of dots R.AF VAN 1. .AERE & OLEG TROSTYA'TSKI

Sa 42. IIinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position 8 o' clock; weight 16,64 g; unopened Obv.: an eagle within a border of dots Rv.: a lion within a border of dots

Sa 43. Hinged seal; diarn. Ca. 2 cm; position 6 o'clock; ; weight 17,40 g; unopened, secondary piercing of the obverse part of connectirig strip Obv.: an eagle Rv.: a lion

Sa 44. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position 12 o'clock; connecting strip ca. 1 crn Obv.: an eagle within a border of dots Rv.: a lion Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KI,OKOV,drawing 2

Damme

Sa 19. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position 12 o'clock Obv.: traces of an unidentified design, probably two or more letters Rv.: a running dog, below six pointed star Se 31. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,s cm; position - Ob\-.: traces of an unidentified design, probably two or more letters Rv a rurining dog, below dog a six pointed star

'a 21. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; positiori 12 o'clock Ob\-.: traces of ari unidentified design, probably two or more letters Et\-.: a running dog, below a six pointed star

'a 2. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,.5 cm; position 6 o'clock Ob\-.: traces of an unidentified design, probably two or more letters R\-.: a running dog, below a six pointed star

1 Sa 23. Hinged seul; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position 6 o'elock; heavily coiroded i)b~.:traces of an unidentified design, possibly one or more letters 1 R\-.: a running dog, below a six pointed star

Sa 21. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position -; heavily corroded t )b\ :traces of an unidentified design, possibly two or more letters R\ .: a running dog, below a six pointed star

Sa 2.5. FIiriged seal; diam. ca. 1,s cm; position 12 o'clock O~Y.:a running dog, below a six pointed star Y.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly two or three letters or CI1 RAF VAX LAEItE & OLEG TROSTYANSKY

Sa 26. Hi~igedscal; diam. ca. 1,s cm; positiori 12 o'clock; srriall remainder of the connecting strip, corroded Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly two or three letters or CI1

Sa 27. Hinged seal; diam. Ca. 1,5 crri; position -; corroded Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified of thc design

Sa 28. Hinged seal; diam. ca. l,5 cm; position 5 o'clock; unopened but connecting strip missing Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified desig~i,possibly two or three letters or CI1

Sa 29. Hinged seal; diam. ca. l,5 cm; position 9 o'clock; unopened but connecting strip missing Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly two or three lettcrs or CI1

Sa 30. Hinged scal; diarn. ca. 1,s cm; position 12 o'clock; unopencd but connecting strip rnissing Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly tao or three letters or DI1

Sa 30bis. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position ?; not accessible, only a drawing available Obv.: a running dog, below a six pointed star Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly two or three letters or IlII MEDIEJAL FLkMISH CLOTH SEALS FHOM SçAR.kY AI.-D.JADID 121

-% 11. Hinged seal; diarn. ca. 1 cni, total length of the connecting strip ca. 1 cm; position ?; unopened Ob\-.: traces of an unidentified design R\-.: the top of a crosier Ref.: V.P. LKBEDEV& Y.N. KLOKOY,drawing VI11

SaS 17. Hinged seal; diarn. max. 2 cm; positiori ?; remainder of the connecting strip, reverse sevcrely damaged i1bv.: a crosier, below a dot R\-.: traces of an uriideritified design

Sa 9. Hinged seal with double security pin, diam. ca. 1 crri, total length of the connecting strip ca. 1 cm; position ?; unopened I~bv.:traces of an unidentified design, possible a crosier with a lily at tlie bottom right R\-.: traces of an unidentified design Ref.: V.P. LEBEIIEY& V.N. KLOKOY,drawirig X

Poperinge

L 1 %+ 3. Hinged seal; diarri. ca. 1 cm; position -; obverse fragment with remainder of the connecting strip Ob\ .: blank R\ : a hand with the thurnb inwards Sa 31. Hinged seal; diarn. ca. 2 cm; positiori 9 o'clock; weiglit 7,48 g; unopcried Obv.: a hand holding a crosier, within a border of dots Legend: ]I,VM (P or Il)[ Hv.: a hand holding a crosier, wilhin a border of dots Legend: indeciphcrable traccs Ref.: V.P. LEBEIIEV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing 10

Sa 32. FIinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position - ; ohverse fragment with the reniainder of tlie connecting strip Ohv.: traces of an unideritified design, probahly a hand to tlie lcft holding a crosier Rv.: traces oî an unidentified design Legend: ]ILL[] Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEY& V.N. KLOI~V,drawine 12

Sa 33. 1 Iinged seal; diam. ça. 2 cm; position -; obverse fragrnerit with thc reniairider of the connecting strip Ohv.: a hand holding a crosier, wilhiri a border of dots Ixgend: lIGII,L[ Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly a crosier Ref.: V.P. LERE:IIEV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawirie 11

Sa 34. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position -; opened arid closed again with the oiitsidc of the reverse at the inside, showing a doiible security j~in;connecting strip preservcd Obv.: a hand holding a crosier Hv.: - Ref.: V.P. LKHEDEV& V.N. Kr.orc«v, drawing 13 MEDIEVkL FT.E\IISH LLOIH SEkLS FIIOM SARL1 LkL-DJ.kr>ID 123

Sa 35. Ilinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position -: reverse fragment with remainder of connecting strip Ob\-.: - R: a hand with the thurrib inwards, possibly holding an object, within a border of dots Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KLOKOY,drawing 14

Sa 36. FIinged seal; dia~n.ca. 2 cm; position -; reverse fragment with rerriainder of connecting strip CIktv.: - R\-.: traces oC a border of dots Ref.: V.P. LEBEIIEY& V.N. KLOKOY,drawing 18

"a 5. IIinged seal; tliam. ca. l,5 cm, total length of the connecting strip ca. 2 cni; position 6 or 12 o'clock; weight 8,76 g, opened and closed again Ob\-.: a lion within a border of dots R\-.: a cross uatriarclial adj.: \-.P. LEBEDEVK: V.N. KLOKOV,drawing XI

Sa Itj. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,5 cm, total length of the co~inectingstrip ca. 2 cm; position ca. 12 o'clock; opened and closed again Ob\-.: a cross patriarchal, the top flankcd by two small x's R\-.: probably a lidded pitcher i kf.:\-.P. LEBEIIEV& V.N. KI.OKOV,drawirig 29 S RXF VAN T,..\ERE & OLEG TROSTYANSKY

Sa 17. Hinged seal; diam. ca 1,s cm, total length of connecting strip ca. 2 cm; position ca. 6 o'clock; opened and closed again Obv.: probably a lidded pitcher Rv.: a cross patriarchal within a border of dots Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KLOKOY,drawing 30

Sa 18. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,scm, total length of connecting strip ca. 2 cm; position ?; unopened, largely of flan Obv.: a cross patriarchal within a border of dots Rv.: traces of unidentified design Kef.: V.P. LEBEIIRV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing 31

SaN 6. Hinged seal; diam. Ca. 1.5 cm; position 1 o'clock; obverse fragment Obv.: a lion Rv.: a cross patriarchal

SaN 2. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1 cm; position -; obverse fragment Obv.: shears or spring scissors Rv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly a cross patriarchal Sa'; 2 bis. Hinged seal diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position ?; not accessible, only a drawing available Ob\-.: a cross patriarchal, below two x's; within a border of dots R\-.: probably a lidded pitcher Ref.: V.P. LEHEDEY& V.N. KI.OKOV,drawing Va

Sa 13. Hinged seal; diam. ca. l,3 cm; position -; obverse fragment with remainder of the connecting strip Obv.: shield with cross, the shield is flanked by a crescent (left, heraldic right) and a star (right, heraldic left); the total design within a border of dots Rv.: traces of an unidentified design Ref.: V.P. I,EBEL)ET& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing IV

Sa 7. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1 cm; position -; obverse fragment witli remaiilder of the connecting strip and of the runner Obv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly a part of a lion, within a border of dots Rr.: traces of an unidentified design Ref.: V.P.LEBEDEV & V.N. KLOKOV,drawing 39

Sa 8. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1 cm; position -; obverse fragment Obv.: traces of an unidentified design within a border of dots R\-.: - Ref.: V.P.LEBEIIEY & V.N. KLOKOV,drawing 40 126 RAF VAN L.&ERE & OI>E(; TROSTYANSK~

Sa 10. Hinged seal; diarn. ca. 1 cm, total length of the connecting strip ca. 1 cm; position ?; unopened. Obv.: traces of an unidentified design, possible a letter N, within a border of dots Rv.: traces of an unidentified design Kef.: \'.P. LEBEDEI& V.N. KLOKO\~,drawing IX

Sa 12. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1 cm; total length of the connecting strip ca. 1 cm; position 1 o'clock; unopened Obv.: traces of an unidentified design, possibly a bird Rv.: traces of two letters: C and '7 Ref.: V.P. I.RHEI)KV& V.N. KLOKOI,draaing VI1

Sa 13. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1,s cm, total length of the connecting strip ca. 1 cm; position - ; unopened, reniairider of tlie runner at the obverse Obv.: a letter P probably within a double dotted border Rv.: traces of an unidentified design Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KLOKOV,draaing \'I

Sa 45. Hinged seal; diani. max. 2 cm; position ?; opened, corincctirig strip incomplete, both sides heavily corroded Obv.: traces of an unidentified design Rv.: traces of an unideritificd design

SaN 4. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 2 cm; position -; obverse fragment Obv.: traces of an unidentified design Rv.: traces of an unidentified design .

SaN 4 bis. Hinged seal; diam. ca. 1 cm; position ?; not accessible, only a drawing available i:bb\-.: traces of an unidentified design possible a Xristogram, within a circle R\-.: - Ref.: \'.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KI~OKOV,drawing XII1 t>,lden Horde - Jochi

Ira 46. Tubular seal; rectangular, ca. 1 crn x 2 cm; position -; weight 5,46 g. i)b\ .: badge of Jochi's family R\ .: blank

Staryi Krym - Solkhat

This seal was seen in an private collection. It was found at Staryi Krym or Old Crimea, formerly the town of Solkhat, the capital of the Crimean ulus under the Golden Horde. The original Tatar name qirim which means "my hill" was later extended to the whole of the peninsula. Others derire the expression from the Turkish girim which means "ditch". The city played an important role in the trade of the Italian merchants. Some suggest that the parallel name of the city Solkhat is in fact derived from the turkified Italian word solcata which means "furrowed".""

Tournai (Dufch: Doornik)

Hinged seal with double security pin; diam. Ca. position -; obverse fragment Obr.: crenellated tower or portal topped with three lilies Ixgend : * SE * / * EL * Rv.: traces of an unidentified design Legend: ]DE[

" B. SPI'LER,S.U. Kirinz, in C. BOS~VOHI.H,E. V.4N DONZEI,,B. LEWIS& C. PELLAT ceds.), The Encgclopuediu of Islam. AVewedition. Vol. V,Leiden, 1980, p. 136-143. 128 RAF VAN 1.AEKE & OLEG TROSTYANSKY

Dubovka - Beljamen (Arab bldjmn)

The seals come as stray finds from an archaeological site situated from 40 km to north of Volgograd, near the small town of Dubovka, that can probably be identified with the town of Beljamen mentioned by the Arab geographers Abu al-Fida (672 / 1273 - 732 / 1331) and Ibn Arabshah (791 / 1392 - 854 / 1450). The town had close relations with Gulistan which was situated about 55 km to the south-east. Coins found at the same site indicate contacts with the region of the Dnieper including Kiev and with Russian principalities such as Ryazan, about 200 km to the south-east of MOSCOW.~~

Poperinge

Be 1. Hinged seal; diam. Ca. 2 cm; position ?; not accessible, only a drawing available Obv.: a hand holding a crosier, within a border of dots Legend: SIGILUM. D[ Rv.: a hand holding a crosier, within a border of dots 1,egend: indecipherable traces Kef.: V.P. I,KBEDEV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing II

Unidentified

Be2. Hinged seal (?); diam. ca. 1,5 cm; position ?; not accessible, only a drawing available Obv.: a lion Rv.: traces of an unidentified design Ref.: V.P. LEBEDEV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing XIV

Be3. Hinged seal; diam. Ca. 1,5 cm; position ?; apparently unopened; not accessible, only drawing available Obv.: traces of an unidentified design, within a border of dots Rv.: - Kef.: V.P. I,KHEDEV& V.N. KLOKOV,drawing XV

V.P, LEHEDEV& V.N. KLOKOV,The Coin circulation of the Golden-Horde Town of Beljamen), in Breunosti Pouolzh' ya i Drugikh Regionou the Antiquities of Pouolzh' ye and Other Regions, vol. 2, Nizhny Novgorod, 2000, p. 56-147. An English summary is available at http://info.charm.ru/lihrary/Nizhegorodskoe-Povolzhie3/nizhnii3.shtml.