Lead bulla of Pope Alexander IV (AD 1254-61) found at Tintern Abbey. Bullae are seals used by the Pope to authenticate letters or charters (known as a Papal bull), attached by a cord. The original document has not survived. By the 12th century, bullae were consistent in form, as shown in this example. On one face (reverse) are representations of the Apostles Saint Peter (right side) and Saint Paul (left side) with a cross at the centre, below the abbreviations SPA SPE (for St Peter and St Paul). The portraits are surrounded by a beaded border. On the obverse side is an inscription bearing the name of the Pope issuing the document: ALE XANDER PP. IIII The abbreviation PP refers to Papa, another term for the Pope. Diameter 38mm, thickness 5mm Accession number: 32.430/4 Image reference: DH007000