Secreta
were usually small, and inscribed "Secretum." The first I have noticed is that of Seherus de Quenci, created Earl in 1210—"Secretum Comitis Wintonie." (Spelman's Aspilogia, p. 67.) John de Busli, however, is even a little earlier; "Secretum Johannis de Bueli" (The Earls of Eu, by Chester Waters, p. 33).
After a careful examination I have come to the conclusion that no regulations restricted their use, but counterseals and secreta were adopted or not, according to taste. Some regarded them as an accession of dignity, and some as a safeguard: there seems no doubt it was for the second reason that that signet was placed, in 1529, on the back of the Dartford Priory Seal (see p. 60); and I find another instance, where a seal of the same Priory, in 1534, had as a counterseal the impression of a small signet with the letters I F, being apparently the initials of Isabel or Joan Fane, the prioress at that time.
It will give some idea as to the prevalence of counterseals if I say that to the Baron's letter, 1301, are appended ninety-five seals of the principal nobility. Seventy-nine have no counterseals: to sixteen such are attached; namely, eight of the same size as the seals, and eight greatly smaller. Two of these smaller ones are not inscribed (William de Brehouse and Simon de Montacute), and one only is called "Secretum" (Walteri de Teye). I think this shows they were less commonly used in 1301 than about 1250.