Exchanging Medieval Material Culture Studies on archaeology and ...

Doubtless there are many seals relevant to the present theme
that await recognition, not least ones in private collections
both in England and Belgium. Many questions of attribution
and exact dating remain open for improvement. Th is fi rst
attempt to examine this question suggests that the main developments
traced by economic historians are broadly refl ected by
the archaeological record. Th e pertinent excavated material
appears at the moment to be still quite meagre. On the other
hand, the prominence of Wervik seals in England perhaps
comes as a surprise. If this present tribute to Frans Verhaeghe
stimulates others to examine these and other fi nds in detail,
and take the study further it will have achieved its dual purpose,
and made a contribution to his interest in the archaeological
evidence for medieval and early-modern period trade
across the North Sea.
<strong>Medieval</strong> and later trade in textiles between Belgium and England 63
Acknowledgements
Th anks are owed to many colleagues for help in the compilation
of this paper: to Adrienne Atwell, Frank Basford, Danielle
Caluwé, the late Walter Endrei, Pyotr Gaidukov, Nick Griffi ths,
the late Sue Margeson, John Munroe, the late Brian Spencer,
Lisa Staves, Jussi-Pekka Taavitsainen, Claes Wahlöo, Johan
Veeckman, and to the members of the Society of Th ames
Mudlarks who provided much of the raw material from London
for study. Th anks too to the editor for labours beyond the
normal call of duty in bringing this paper to completion.
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