Rebus
A Rebus is a device that uses pictures to represent words or parts of words by their sounds, particular for names of people or places. Up until about 150 years ago most people could not read or write and most communication were by word of mouth. If you wanted to communicate other than by word of mouth you had to use pictures. This was difficult to do for names, and so a rebus was often used.
Seals
The shape of seals in medieval times was significant. Ecclesiastical organisations, such as the Bridlington Priory, used elliptical (oval) shaped seals with pointed top and bottom. The shape is often referred to as a lozenge. Seals of this shape were also used by noblewomen, but most seals in use were circular. The sealing wax was usually red although green wax was used sometimes, most notably for government Exchequer documents. Individuals often had their seals incorporated into a finger ring. Important organisations had very large seals indeed.
There was also a Priory seal with two adult figures in a double niche and a replica of the seal attributed to Prior Gregory, c.1180, has four heads in circles arranged on the traditional “pointed oval” shape.
