Wax Seals, Letters, and the Medieval Art of Communication

Ah, letter writing! It was a whole different game in 15th-century Bruges. No email, no texting—just quills, parchment, and a bit of wax. For people like Jehanne Bening and her friend Cornelia Cnoop, sending a letter wasn’t just about sharing news. It was a bit of an art form. Every seal and fold reflected purpose and status. They might even have reflected a little bit of personality.

Let’s take a look at how these two ladies might have approached their correspondence, complete with the all-important wax seals.

Sealing the Deal: Wax and Style

Wax seals weren’t just practical; they made a statement. Imagine Jehanne and Cornelia sitting by the fire in a Bruges tavern. They are debating, with plenty of good-natured teasing, whether a simple wax blob is better. Or is a dangling pendent seal the way to go for their latest letters? Would Cornelia roll her eyes at the thought of a pendent seal on a friendly note? Would Jehanne defend it as “just the right touch for a letter to a guild master”? Here’s how it might have played out.

The Classic Wax Blob or The Fancy Pendent Seal?

For the “everyday” letter, you might write a quick note. It could say, “You’ve got to see this new ultramarine we’re using in the workshop!” A simple wax seal was the go-to. It was quick, practical, and sturdy enough to survive the hands of an apprentice or a merchant delivering the letter.

Heat the wax over a flame.
Drip it onto the folded paper.
Press it with a seal matrix or signet ring.
Voilà! Secure and personal.

This was perfect for Jehanne, who spent her days sharpening quills and mixing pigments—she didn’t have time for fussy details. A simple seal said, “I care, but I’m also busy.”

But, if Jehanne needed to impress someone, she might break out the pendent seal. This could be a guild master, an aristocratic patron, or maybe even a rival workshop. This involved attaching a cord to the letter, dripping wax onto it, and pressing the seal into the dangling wax. It was the medieval equivalent of sending a letter on fancy embossed stationery with a gold stamp.

But let’s be honest: would Jehanne do this for Cornelia? Probably not. Cornelia knew Jehanne’s seal well enough, and besides, why waste the extra wax? But for official documents or important contracts, a dangling seal was the ultimate status symbol.

Wax Seals: Function Meets Flair

Wax seals weren’t just pretty; they served real purposes:

Security: If someone tried to open the letter, the broken seal made it obvious.
Authentication: A unique seal design—like a family crest, initials, or workshop symbol—proved the sender’s identity.
Privacy: While not as secure as a modern password, a wax seal kept casual snoops at bay.

Jehanne’s seal might have included something personal. It could have been her initials or an artistic flourish. This would reflect her work in the Bening workshop. Cornelia’s? Probably something that nodded to her connection to the Bruges artistic elite.

To Dangle or Not to Dangle?

Would Jehanne and Cornelia have used pendent seals all the time? Probably not. Pendent seals were more common on legal or ceremonial documents—guild charters, land deeds, or letters to nobles. They were fancy, but also fragile, and not the most practical choice for day-to-day correspondence.

For a casual letter, a simple wax blob did the trick. It was secure, personal, and easy to apply. In a busy place like Bruges, where letters traveled by merchant, apprentice, or traveler, practicality often won out over pomp.

Medieval Women and the Art of Correspondence

Letters weren’t just for men in 15th-century Europe. Women like Christine de Pizan and Margaret of York used letters to assert their influence and leave their mark.

Christine de Pizan was a famous author and early feminist. She wrote elegant and persuasive letters to figures like Queen Isabeau of Bavaria. Her seals showed her professionalism and intellect, and her letters helped secure patronage for her work.

Margaret of York, Duchess of Burgundy, was another prolific writer. Her pendent seals often bore her personal emblem—a York rose or a lion rampant—symbolizing her authority. Margaret’s letters blended diplomacy with personal connection, making her a master of correspondence.

Jehanne and Cornelia were likely less famous. However, they probably followed similar practices in their own lives. They balanced artistry and practicality in their letters.

Wax Seals Today: A Bit of Medieval Magic

Here’s the fun part: wax seals have made a comeback! You can now seal wedding invitations, holiday cards, or just a note to a friend with a wax seal. Adding a wax seal can give your correspondence a touch of medieval charm.

So next time you’re folding a letter or sealing an envelope, think of Jehanne and Cornelia. Their letters might have taken days or weeks to arrive. However, they were crafted with care. They were sealed with meaning. And they were delivered with personality.

What kind of letters would your persona send? Would they go for the practical blob or the show-stopping pendent seal? Share your thoughts in the comment section below—I’d love to hear them!