Business from the cesspit. Investigations into the socio-economic network of the Van Lidth de Jeude family (1701–78) in Tiel, the Netherlands, on the basis of shellac letter-seals from a cesspit

Abstract

Small red objects were found during the excavation of an 18th-century cesspit in the town of Tiel in the Netherlands. These red flakes proved to be shellac seals from letters. Archaeological and historical evidence show that the upper-class family of Van Lidth de Jeude lived in the mansion at the time the refuse was discarded. Coats of arms were depicted on the seals impressed by seal matrices or signet rings. As they were attached to letters, they represent the mail sent to the family. Heraldic and historical investigation led to the identification of about 40 persons and families who corresponded with the Van Lidth de Jeudes. Three socio-economic groups were recognized: an official network of, for example, mayors of other towns in the State of Guelders; within the Tieler- and Bommelerwaard region; and family and relatives. A fourth group consists of official and semi-official contacts in the town of Utrecht. Because family, relations, marital status and gender can be distinguished from the shape and composition of the personal coats of arms, these seals throw light on the nature of the family correspondence. They reveal what may have been a gender-based network between the Van Lidth de Jeude ladies and their female relatives in other towns.