The seal it a pointed oval with a central image of St. Francis of Assisi wearing his long, plain robe with his arms raised and hands outstretched. At each of his flanks are fleurs-de-lys lying on their sides. Other seals of Esger Juul also feature prominent fleur-de-lys. It has a suspension loop at the top, indicating the Juul wore it as a pendant from a chain around his neck, an important security measure to keep his legal signature on his person. The inscription reads: “S’ ESGERI FILII NICHOLAI IUUL DE DACIA” which translates to ‘Seal for Esger Son of Nielsen Juul from Denmark’.
Esger traveled extensively in his role as archbishop both inside Denmark and abroad (Vienna, Avignon, Sweden, Germany). That explains why his seal inscription references his Danish nationality. It wouldn’t have been necessary if he’d been a homebody and only had to use his seal locally.
The seal stamp was found on Store Skindbjerg Mark in Dejbjerg parish – between Ringkjøbing and Skjern. This may indicate that Esger Juul’s family originally came from this area. In 1310, Esger Juul donated all his estates in the Skast district to the canons of Ribe, and in 1312 three farms – also in the Skast district – to Ribe Cathedral.
“We don’t know exactly where Esger Juul’s family originates in Jutland, but the seal stamp indicates that he may have had his origins and connection to this area. This part of West Jutland is an area where there has already been quite a lot of activity throughout several historical periods, so it would be fun if Esger Juul could also be linked to this. It confirms how important West Jutland has been in various ways throughout Danish history,” says Michelle Wølch Staffe, archaeologist and museum curator at Archaeology West Jutland.
* This article was originally published here
