Medieval seal mould which promised a ‘fast-track to heaven’ to go on display

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A rare medieval seal mould which would have promised a “fast track to heaven” is going on display after being discovered in a field where it had laid undiscovered for more than 500 years. “The documents were certified with a wax impression created by the carving on the seal matrix when pressed into hot coloured wax.” The seal matrix is inscribed in Latin with ‘sigillu officii prioris poretas sce trinitat de Motesfont’, which means Seal of the Official of the Prior of the Priory of Mottisfont. George Roberts, curator at the National Trust, said: “Although the seal matrix dates from late in the priory’s history it reflects the role the site would have played in medieval people’s lives since its foundation in the early 1200s. “By being able to sell indulgences, Mottisfont Priory could offer people a reduction in their time in purgatory – in effect, fast-tracking them to heaven.