Great Seal of Charles I

Thomas Simon set out his position early in the war by copying the Great Seal of Realm after Charles I had fled the capital. The ultimate symbol of royal authority, the Great Seal had gone with the Royalists to Oxford. If Parliament were to be able to pass any laws they would require a copy to attach to legislation to make it official. Simon provided one in 1643, being paid £100 for the work, but by doing so he was committing high treason against the Crown. This act perhaps helps to emphasise the strength of feeling that he felt for the Parliamentarian cause.