Seal and Charter bathed in sunlight
William of Wykeham’s Seal & the College Charter bathed in Sunlight

William of Wykeham, once one of the richest men in England, was a great public administrator in the 14th century. Career highlights included Bishop of  Winchester and Chancellor of England. He also founded Oxford’s New College in 1379, and the public school, Winchester College in 1382. The seal and charter being bathed by the sunlight are the originals from Winchester College’s foundation. They are kept to this day in the original rooms built for their storage in 1390s.

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    1. lol! If she had locked us in that room we would have been sealed in – door was about 30cm think, walls even thicker and we were way up a very narrow staircase!

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        1. That is so true, maybe that is what I should be doing in my pro bono work – lots to stamp about there at the moment!

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  14. I was hoping for a seal. The animal not the lump of wax. I love the history of the seal wax. Letter now-a-days should be wax sealed. I wonder what your seal would entail Becky? x

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    1. Not many seals in Winchester! I’d love to have my own wax seal, certainly wouldn’t be as big as this one though. Just think of the amount of wax you’d need 😉

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    2. My tour was just at the right time of day. And you are right we are so fortunate, plus of course it is thanks to Heritage Open Days that access to these historical delights all happens!

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        1. hee hee . . .you’re the same age as my fellow director so . . . . . .actually don’t be as bonkers as us. Last year we were doing 100 hours per week between us

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    1. If you saw the chests and secure room it is all stored in you begin to understand how it has. The chests require two people to unlock them because there are two locks and two keys, and then the key to the secure room itself is the length of your lower arm! Quite extraordinary.

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