Pevensey, seal of the corporation, circa 1230

Pevensey, seal of the corporation, circa 1230. The obverse inscribed: 'SIGIL'V : BARONUM . DOMINI : REGIS . ANGLIE DE PEVENES' depicts a thirteenth century vessel with double-ended clinker-built hull, with high stem and stern posts, fighting stages as small temporary erections just inside the ship's ends. The lower of the two attachments of the quarter-rudder is seen clearly. The seal is perhaps the earliest illustration of ratlines on the shrouds. Two men are hauling on the anchor cable. The reverse inscribed: 'SCE . NICOLAE . DVC . NOS . SPONTE . TRAHE . PEV', depicts St Nicholas succouring two ships whose sails have been torn into shreds by tempest. Two casts, obverse and reverse, mounted on an emulsioned plywood backboard with a label.