Seal matrix and press of the Council of Cuéllar

This piece was used to create seals that guaranteed the authenticity of the document, and therefore the authenticity of the signature contained therein. These types of double matrices were characteristic of the Castilian-Leonese councils of the late 13th and early 14th centuries. They were joined by rods that were pushed through the holes on the outer edges, thus guaranteeing that both sides of the seal were correctly positioned. As they were so large, a press, or torculum, had to be used to apply the necessary pressure. The press was made from two iron plates, with rims to hold the sides of the seal, which were squeezed using two screws, turned by corresponding butterfly nuts, only one of which has been preserved. The equestrian figure on the reverse is accompanied by the legend est : cavallero : es : alfieraz : de : cuellar : y : vasalo : del : rey (this: knight: is: an ensign: from: cuellar: and: a vassal: of: the king). On the other side there is a castle, surrounded by an inscription reminding that this is the property of the council.