Great Seal of Henry VIII
1542-47RCIN 63740
The Great Seal is appended to official documents of state to signify the monarch’s consent, a practice which continues to this day. It is made of wax pressed between two seal matrices, over a cord or tape attached to the document. One side shows the King on horseback complete with sword, while he is shown enthroned on the other side of the seal, which is now without its original document. Although only partially legible on this example, the royal style and title (in Latin) is abbreviated around the circumference. The third seal of Henry’s reign is significant as it was the first to include his new title of Supreme Head of the Church of England.