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Feature: Official seal of Scottish hero Robert the Bruce destined to leave shores of Scotland

Xinhua, March 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

He is one of the most famous names in Scottish history, becoming king after defeating the English in the celebrated Battle of Bannockburn.

Now a new battle against time is on to halt the official seal commissioned by Robert the Bruce from being exported abroad. Unless a British buyer can be found to match a price tag of 213,140 U.S. dollars.

British Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has placed a temporary export bar on the two-part bronze seal commissioned by the Scottish hero when he had become Robert I, King of Scotland.

Authorized in 1322 by Robert the Bruce, it was used to seal customs documents by Dunfermline Abbey as proof of their authority and endorsement by the King.

The upper part of the seal is engraved with St Margaret, Dunfermline Abbey's founding saint, and the lower part bears the royal arms of Scotland. The inscription on the side translates as "Robert, by the Grace of God, King of the Scots."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "The seal is extremely rare, and is of outstanding significance for the study of medieval Scotland, and medieval goldsmiths' work."

Vaizey said: "This amazing artifact represents one of the few objects directly associated with Robert the Bruce's reign. Its departure would not only result in the loss of this irreplaceable item, but it would also strip us of the opportunity to learn more about this exceptional figure."

Vaizey took the decision to defer granting an export license for the seal matrix pair following a recommendation by the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest, administered by the Arts Council.

The Committee made its recommendation on the grounds that it was of great value for the study of medieval goldsmith work and sigillography and the re-establishment of Scottish institutions under Robert the Bruce.

Leslie Webster, a member of the committee, said: "This remarkable and handsome seal-die is of national importance on several counts. Its association with the royal abbey of Dunfermline sheds light on how the king acted out his authority, delegating the powers of the crown; and its outstanding quality may suggest the influence of French craftsmen."

The decision on the export license application for the seal matrix pair will be deferred for a period ending on June 21, but if a serious buyer comes forward, the deadline may be extended until Sept. 21.

The Battle of Bannockburn was fought in June 1314 when Robert the Bruce faced King Edward II at Bannockburn, near Stirling. The Scots army was outnumbered almost three to one, but still defeated the English in what is often called Scotland's War of Independence. The recent Scottish independence referendum in 2014 coincided with the 700th anniversary of the battle. Endit