Medieval Papal Seals of Innocentius IV Found in Kortemark

A metal detector enthusiast from Zarren, near Kortemark in West Flanders, has unearthed two medieval papal seals of Pope Innocentius IV on agricultural fields, a discovery that archaeologists say could point to a previously unknown religious site in the region. The lead seals, dating from the 13th century, were found on consecutive days and represent a significant historical find for the area, according to VRT NWS.

The Discovery

Niels Moreau, who has been metal detecting for just two years, found the first seal on a field near Kortemark, and returned the following day to discover a second one on the same plot. The bullae—the technical term for papal seals—are made of lead, measure 36 millimeters in diameter, and weigh 40 grams each. They were originally attached to letters or parchment documents known as papal bulls.

“I’d better play the lottery,” Moreau told VRT NWS. “I’ll definitely keep searching. Which field it is, I won’t reveal. I’ve only been searching for 2 years, that’s really not long, yet I’ve already found a lot. I’ve had some luck.”

What Are Papal Seals?

A papal bulla is a lead seal used to authenticate official papal documents. Since at least the 13th century, these documents have been sealed with a lead stamp bearing the name of the reigning pope on one side and the heads of Saints Peter and Paul on the other, as explained by KRO-NCRV. The term “bulla” derives from Latin, meaning “seal” or “bubble,” and from Pope Gregory VII onward, papal bullae followed a consistent design.

Pope Innocentius IV

Pope Innocentius IV, born Sinibaldo dei Fieschi in Genoa around 1195, reigned from 25 June 1243 until his death on 7 December 1254, according to Wikipedia. A professor of canon law in Bologna, he was elected pope unanimously and is best remembered for his bitter conflict with Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, whom he excommunicated at the First Council of Lyon in 1245. He also authorized the use of torture against heretics with the bull “Ad extirpanda” in 1252.

Historical Significance

The discovery of two seals from the same pope in the same field is exceptional, particularly in rural Flanders. Archaeologist Erwin Meylemans of the Agency for Immovable Heritage confirmed the significance of the find, noting that the seals could point to a religious site that was previously unknown. “That can be interesting in many ways,” Meylemans said. “Maybe these seals point to a religious location we didn’t know about yet. We can also make an overview of these seals with other found pieces and investigate whether they have a connection.”

Moreau has his own theory about how the seals ended up in the field. “My theory is that there was a monastery nearby,” he said. “Maybe in the 19th century they burned their old parchments? That’s how the seals could have ended up here. Or they fell from a rider on horseback.”

Reporting and Legal Requirements

In Flanders, metal detectorists must be recognized and report their finds through a dedicated online tool, as outlined by Vlaanderen.be. The landowner is in principle the owner of the find, and finders have three obligations: to keep and maintain the find properly, not to sell or donate it without permission, and to allow it to be requested for scientific research.

“He must then keep them as a good householder,” Meylemans explained. “If you find something, you must report it, and that has been done correctly here.” The agency will now contact Moreau to formally request the seals for scientific documentation and potential publication in an academic article.

Broader Context

This discovery adds to a growing body of evidence about medieval ecclesiastical connections in the Low Countries. A similar papal seal from the 15th century was found by a metal detectorist in Ruiselede, also in West Flanders, as reported by KW.be. The National Archives of Belgium also acquired a papal bull from 1430 that surfaced at a Brussels auction house, according to the Rijksarchief.

Zarren itself has a rich medieval history, with its oldest mention dating from 1089 as “Villa Sarra,” and the area was part of the Brugse Vrije (Bruges Franchise), according to Wikipedia. The village’s church was originally a proprietary church belonging to a family of canons from Tournai.

What’s Next

The Agency for Immovable Heritage will formally request the seals for scientific research, which could involve documenting, drawing, and photographing them for publication. Meylemans noted that the find could reveal routes or patterns of papal communication in medieval Flanders. “That can bring routes or patterns to light,” he said. “It can be of scientific importance in many ways.”

For Moreau, the hobby remains a source of personal discovery. “It’s my hobby,” he said. “I take my metal detector and scour the fields in Kortemark. I enjoy discovering the history of my municipality.” The question now is what other secrets those fields may still hold.