How to Make a Medieval Seal on Envelopes

In medieval times, a ribbon was sometimes affixed under the wax for easy breaking.

In medieval times, people began to increase communication by writing. To authenticate that a letter was actually from the sender and had not been opened by someone else, a wax seal was applied. The wax seal was applied by heating the end of a wax stick and marking the envelope, or by dripping candle wax and embossing the wax with a stamp. The embosser used for wax seals was made of either metal or wood. Sometimes, a ribbon was affixed under the wax so that the wax could be easily removed. Today, a rubber stamp can also be used as a cheap alternative to wood or metal wax embossers.

Things You'll Need

• Satin or silk ribbon (optional)
• Lighter
• Wax stick or candle
• Rubber, wood or metal seal stamp

Instructions

1. Lay a piece of ribbon so that the top is on the spot where you wish to seal the envelope. This step is not necessary, but it was used occasionally in the Middle Ages.

2. Light the candle to begin melting the wax. Let the candle wax pool around the wick for a few minutes to collect enough wax to pour onto the envelope. Tilt the candle slightly so that the wax drips onto the envelope. Do not pour all in one spot, but around the same spot, to ensure that the wax does not dry too quickly.

3. Hold the end of the wax stick over the lighter (if using a wax stick). Once the tip of the stick begins to turn to liquid, rub the end of the wax stick in a circular motion over the closure of the envelope and top of the ribbon if using ribbon (the ribbon can be used on the letter itself if desired). You can press fairly hard on a wax stick to increase the wax deposit, but move quickly.

4. Lick the emblem on the stamp quickly and press the emblem into the wax. You may also use a wet sponge or a nonstick spray in lieu of licking the emblem, but licking it allows you to move more quickly before the wax hardens. Performing this step keeps the stamp from collecting wax upon removal.

5. Hold the stamp down for 5 seconds as the wax hardens and remove the stamp.

Tips & Warnings

• Note the wax will need to be larger than the width of the ribbon to adhere to the page and hold the ribbon in place.

References

• Herbal Musings: How to Make a Wax Seal
• Medieval Writing: Seals
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Sigillography
• History for Kids: Seals and Sealings