David Johansen
the king sent letters sealed with his ring, or a stamp of some sort, ladies would send letters likewise sealed from the messenger's prying eyes. it is a security measure aswell as proof of the party having accepted the document. a scroll was the style of a day gone past, and a ribbon is the 'seal'. paper was to expensive to waste as an onvelope, and everyone had candles redily available.
Printed copy · Anthology Volume 6, page 912
