Seal and signet of Florence, Bishop of Glasgow, 1202-1207. None of the traditional emblems of Glasgow are present on the seal. It depicts a cleric seated in front of a lectern, on which is a book. The raised forefinger of the right hand suggests he may be speaking. He holds a palm branch in his left hand.
Florentius, or Florence, was the great-grandson of King David I of Scotland. His father was a Dutch count who had distiguished himself in the crusades. He was only bishop elect, from 1202; for reasons unknown, he was never consecrated. In 1207 he resigned, and spent the rest of his life in Rome.
Reference: Mitchell Library, GC 941.435 REN
Reproduced with the permission of Glasgow City Council, Libraries Information and Learning
Keywords:
bishops, seals, signets