This is the seal of the second Latin Emperor of Constantinople, Henry of Flanders, who ruled from 1206 to 1216. This circular lead seal has two sides, with different images and inscriptions on each side. On the obverse side of the seal, there is a central image of the emperor with a complimentary circular inscription. The inscription, found between a double border of dots, reads in Greek, “ερρικοσδεσποτης.” This translates into English as, “Henry, despotes,” meaning someone of great power, like an emperor.



In the center, you can see the emperor, sitting straight up on a throne, which is decorated with animal heads, probably lions. The emperor wears imperial garments and a crown. Of the two images on the seals, this one is connected to religious aspects of Emperor Henry’s power. In his right hand, he holds a scepter with a cross on top of it, and in his left, he holds a globus cruciger, also known as ‘the orb and cross,’ which is another symbol of religious influence. This image presents the emperor in a straight-up position with his head up, with the focus being on his honorably seated figure. This type of image puts an emphasis on an honorable and a controlled rule as he is seated in a grounded and strong position in a formal manner and attire on his throne.


There is a similar format on the reverse side of the seal. On this side, there is another circular inscription between a double border of dots, this time reading in Latin, “Henricus Dei gratia inperator Romanie.” This translates into English as, “Henry, by the Grace of God, emperor of the Roman realm.” Again, it asserts the emperor’s authority in a religious context.

The image still depicts the emperor, but this time in a militaristic stance. Here, the emperor, wearing armor, is on horseback facing the right side. He holds a sword in his right hand and a shield in his left hand. He looks very chivalric and successful as he is in motion on horseback, fighting for his empire and during the crusades. The horse is actively shown in a flying gallop with all of its hooves off the ground. The emperor drives his horse with so much power that he and the horse are coming out of the central field of the seal and overlapping with the inscription.

The images and inscriptions on this seal present a particular duality for both the emperor and his empire. First, the two images concurrently stress the emperor’s ability to maintain control over his empire by a balanced and stasis order, as seen in his straight-up and focused stance on his throne. He also controls his empire through active progression as he is shown in a forward movement on horseback. These images work together to show the dual role of the emperor being skilled, a strong-willed ruler in his intellect as a ruler of thousands and physical abilities as a military leader in war. 

The dual language of these inscriptions also presents an image of the people under his rule. It shows that he, as an emperor of a newly founded empire, aims to please two groups of people to a certain extent. The Greek inscription on the obverse side is closely related to the Greek-speaking members of the former Byzantine Empire. In contrast, the Latin inscription on the reverse side connects to the Latin-speaking crusaders that founded the new Latin Empire. Notably, both languages are present on this seal because it shows that the emperor is ruling over both people. They belonged to different cultures and did not voluntarily wish to come together. Still, they are being ruled under one ruler.