Bulla (seal)

In the sphragistics ( Sigillography ) Bulle is the name for all of the seals made ​​of metal, next to the seals of lead in particular the gold seal. Silver bulls are rare.

When Bullierung are two metal plates above the seal line that has already been drawn through holes in the plica of the parchment, using a sealing stamp ( Typar ) connected together by mechanical pressure and marked it. Transcription and iconography of the front and back are different.

Popes

In particular, the seal of the pope is known as the Bull and has transferred this name to the thus sealing documents. It is made ​​of lead. The dominant type bears on one side the name of the reigning Pope. On the back of the heads of the Apostles Peter and Paul are depicted. In 1878 it was replaced by a stamp. In particularly significant documents a lead bull is still used, most recently at the invitation of the Holy Year in 2000 by John Paul II

Used the popes seal of wax for the less important letter ( breve ). This so-called " Fisherman's Ring Seal " shows Saint Peter in the boat and the top right of the name of the Pope. Its use has occupied since the beginning of the 15th century. In 1842 it was replaced by a stamp. Since 1524 also gold seal of the popes are isolated over delivers.

Lead cops are not only found in archives, but also in archaeological contexts, even if the state of preservation it is not always very good. In Germany, the limited papal bulls, in south-eastern Europe, the various forms of Byzantine lead bulls are also archaeologically detectable.

Kings and emperors

Lead seals have been particularly used by rulers of the Mediterranean ( kings of Sicily, Emperor of Byzantium ), but also by Otto III. and Henry II also found in smaller numbers also gold bulls. On the seal material can be pointed in the Corroboratio.

The Holy Roman Emperor used gold bulls at the request of the recipient for documents of particular political and constitutional importance, such as:

  • The Golden Hand festivals of the city of Bern from 1218 (probably fake )
  • The Golden Bull of Rimini 1226
  • Lübeck Reichsfreiheit letter from 1226
  • The Golden Bull of 1356

Other kings have used since the beginning of the 13th century gold bulls:

  • Leo II of Armenia ( 1205, 1207 )
  • Ottokar I of Bohemia ( 1217 )
  • Béla IV of Hungary (1238-1266)
  • Charles I of Anjou (1266-1276)
  • Charles II of Anjou (1284-1307)
  • Robert the way (1309-1335)
Plica (sigillography) Monreale Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor Leo I, King of Armenia Charles II of Naples Robert, King of Naples Security seal
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