1291-1352 AD. A bifacial lead papal bulla, discoid in plan with two faces: one bearing the heads of St Peter and St Paul facing each other in relief, a cross between, Latin text above: 'SPA SPE', border of pellets around; the other with three rows of Latin text: 'CLE / MENS / PP VI', reverse-barred 'N', omega above the 'PP', small rosettes in the field, border of pellets. Cf. The Portable Antiquities Scheme Database, id. NLM-BF8BCB, KENT-099F69 and WILT-423D7C, for comparable examples; see Saunders, P. edn., Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue, Part 3, Wiltshire, 2001, pp.87-91, for discussion of bullae. 41 grams, 37mm (1 1/2"). Found whilst searching with a metal detector in Leicestershire, UK, by Robert Ward. 'SPA' = Sanctus Paulus, 'SPE' = Sanctus Petrus. 'PP' = 'Pastor Pastorum', translated as 'shepherd of the shepherds'. Pope Clement VI was head of the Catholic Church from 7th May 1342 to his death in 1352. Clement reigned during the first visitation of the Black Death, during which he granted remission of sins to all who died of the plague. The papal bulla is a formal seal of office used by the Popes to stamp and authenticate documents produced by the papal curia. Dr Tim Pestell, Curator of Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, has commented: 'Papal bulls came as two basic types, according to the contents of the document: Tituli, or 'Letters of Grace', essentially granted or confirmed rights, conferred benefices or promulgated statutes. They generally had their lead bullae attached with cords of silk. Mandamenta, or 'Letters of Justice' were mandates that conveyed papal orders, prohibitions or injunctions, and had their bullae attached by hemp threads'. Bullae of Clement VI are relatively common (Saunders ed. 2001, 87"). Bullae of this period seem to predominate in mortuary contexts (Roberta Gilchrist pers. comm."). Bullae such as this were often broken after use as a deliberate action to destroy the seal, a practice likely associated with the decommissioning of documents, or the dissolution of the monasteries. [No Reserve] Condition Report Fair condition, repaired.