SEALS OF THE BOROUGH OF GREAT YARMOUTH.
(Vol. viii., p. 269.)
I fear that the result of my researches will be but of little service; but your Querist is heartily welcome to the mite I offer.
The second seal appears to have been the seal of assay; probably used for certifying the correctness of the king's beam, or for sealing documents authorising exports, of which there were formerly many and various from this port. Yarmouth was held by the kings until 9 John, when a charter was granted to his burgesses, inhabitants of Gernemue, that they should henceforth hold the town in "fee-farm," paying yearly the sum of 55l. in lieu of all rents, tolls, &c. Probably on this occasion a seal of arms was granted. About the year 1306 a dispute fell out between Great Yarmouth and the men of Little Yarmouth and Gorleston adjoining, the latter insisting on the right to load and unload fish in their harbours; but the former prevailed as being free burgh, which the others were not. In 1332 a charter was granted (6 Ed. III.) for adjusting these disputes, wherein it was directed—
"That ships laden with wool, leather, and skins upon which the great custom is due, shall clear out from that port where our beam and the seal called coket remain, and nowhere else (ubi thronus noster et sigillum nostrum, quod dicitur coket, existunt, et non alibi carcentur)."
What coket is, I am unable to say: but the king's beam for weighing merchandise, called thronus or tronus, stood usually in the most public place of the town or port. The legend on this seal appears to be old French, and is evidently the "seal of assay of Great Yarmouth."
The third seal has probably belonged to Little Yarmouth. The arms of Great Yarmouth were "azure three herrings in pale argent." It is not unlikely that during disputes between the two ports the Little Yarmouthites might assume a seal of arms; but as such thing were more carefully looked after then than in these degenerate days, they would not venture on the three herrings, but content themselves with one; and they might desire to dignify their town as "New" instead of "Little" Yarmouth.
With regard to the first seal, I should judge from its oval shape, the cross, and legend, that it is ecclesiastic, and has no connexion with Yarmouth.
Broctuna.
Bury, Lancashire.