A CITY archaeology festival is set to explore fraud prevention in medieval and Tudor England.

The Winchester Festival of Archaeology will be held at the City Museum from July 19 to 21. 

One of the solutions used wax seals and for the first time Hyde 900 is offering the opportunity for visitors of all ages to make and take away a faithful replica of the Abbot of Hyde’s seal of 1537. 

Preparations for this groundbreaking living archaeology event have involved Winchester College where the original document and seal is housed. The project used a combination of the latest 3D scanning and printing techniques to replicate the seal with the help of Jacob Newbury along with more experimental work using traditional engraving and modelling methods undertaken by Chris Prior. 

Alex Spurling in the process of making a seal (Image: Hyde900)

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Chris said: “The project involved extensive research into how the complex imagery created for these seals could be replicated. We also had to work out the makeup of the beeswax used, and the correct temperature required to create a good impression of the seal matrix.”

Chris will be on hand during the seal making to discuss the project.

Steve Marper as Abbot of Hyde (Image: Hyde900)

Makers of the seals at the event will learn the history of the use – and misuse – of them as a method of authenticating documents for a variety of monastic grants and conveyances. The signature on the document is that of John Salcot, the last abbot of Hyde, who facilitated the dissolution of the abbey in 1538. He went on to become Bishop of Salisbury and a judge. After changing his faith to become a catholic under Queen Mary, he condemned many Protestants to be burned at the stake.

The seal making is open to all ages, and those taking part can take away their seal, certified by the Abbot of Hyde (at least, his stand in). In addition the festival will feature medieval tile making, calligraphy, a display of finds from the digs and a talk by Dr John Crook titled “There’s a monk at the bottom of my garden.” 

For more details, visit hyde900.org.uk.