great seal

References

Images

Philip II, seal of majesty, showing the king crowned and enthroned, from a document of 1180

great seal

royal insignia

Also known as: seal of majesty

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Learn about this topic in these articles:

sigillography
Royal and official seals
The great seal, or seal of majesty (a round seal showing the seated ruler with the royal insignia), first appeared in Europe on the seal of the emperor Henry II of Germany (ruled 1002–24), in France on the seal of Henry I (ruled 1031–60), and in…
Read More
The great seal, or seal of majesty (a round seal showing the seated ruler with the royal insignia), first appeared in Europe on the seal of the emperor Henry II of Germany (ruled 1002–24), in France on the seal of Henry I (ruled 1031–60), and in…
Read More