History of York

There is an inscription around the edge of this seal that translates as ‘The seal of Snarrus the toll collector’.

The tax collector Snarrus is shown dropping coins into his purse.

Snarrus was a Viking name which survived into the Norman period.  The object is made of walrus ivory, an expensive material, which suggests that Snarrus was probably a wealthy and powerful official. 

This seal shows that Norman York was important enough to be a tax-collecting centre in its own right.