1. Saint Christopher
Known as the patron saint of travellers and many others including archers. This badge depicts the story of carrying a child across a river, the child was Christ. The badge worn by travellers, to show devotion and as a request for his blessing.
14th Century.
2. Livery Badge - Arrows
1480's. Wearing this badge would show allegiance to Arthur, Prince of Wales, brother to Henry VIII The design shows a bundle of arrows tied by a buckled belt. Two arrows are blunt, three have barbed heads typical for hunting. Original in Museum of London.
3. St Etheldreda ( Audrey) Ely Cathedral was built on the site where Ethelreda founded a convent in the 7th century. She holds a book and a crosier from which hang shackles, these relate to the miracle of a man she saved from jail. Fairs were held on her feast days, cheap trinkets ‘tawdry (St. Audrey) wares' were sold Pilgrimages to her shrine were popular. Original found in London. 14th-15thCentury
5. Hart and Tree
This badge is linked as a symbol to Richard II and his followers. In 1989 in the City of London a small hart and tree badge was found during excavations and recorded as such. Late 14th, early 15th century.
4. St. Anthony This pilgrim badge is made up of the Tau cross and a bell. The Tau cross is said to ward off evil spirits. It has an image of Christ crucified. The bell was worn as a talisman, a privilege or it was used to collect alms. This is the badge of medieval saint, St Anthony of The Order of Hospitaller's. A holy order dedicated to the care of the sick. London was a popular pilgrimage site. Original found in the Netherlands. 15th Century
6. St. Edmund Edmund surrendered himself to the Vikings after defeat at Thetford 869 refusing to give up Christianity. He was tied to a tree, shot with arrows and beheaded. A wolf found the head, followed the funeral to Hoxne and the head rejoined to the body. After many miracles, a shrine was formed at Bury where the Benedictine Abbey was later founded. Original found Salisbury. www.pilgrimbadges.co.uk
7. Saint Olaf Olaf was a viking warrior and King of Norway 1015-1030. In trying to convert his country to Christianity, his people turned against him. Axeheads found are unlikely to be connected with St. Olaf even though he is usually seen with an axe the emblem of his martyrdom. His cult spread widely in the middle ages, in London he was popularly revered. 14th -15th century
8.Archer
Depicting a foot soldier of Dutch origin.
The original was found in Canterbury and copied. Other similar badges have been found in London. Archery was extremely important as a pastime but also as a formidable weapon of war.14th Century
9. Lover's Token
"Herte be trewe" is the inscription on a crowned heart with a diagonal band. It is surrounded by pearls representing purity. A married lady would give a token to a knight of her choice to be worn during a Medieval tournament. Around 50 heart badges have been found in London.15th Century
10. Our Lady of the Undercroft This badge with the s-shaped link would be attached as a trinket or pendant. The fleur de lys is associated with the shrine of Our Lady of the Undercroft of Canterbury. This badge is supplied with a leaf pendant. Early 15th century. Original found in Salisbury, others have been found in London & Canterbury.
13. Crowned 'A' Letters were commonly formed into the framework of badges made in the 14th and 15th centuries. The crown may be of religious significance, Christ being the King and Mary the Queen. This badge, is a lover's token with the 'A' representing "Amor Vincit Omnia" which translates "Love Conquers All"
12.Acorn and Oak Leaves The acorn and oak leaf are widely used for decoration on all things medieval as it symbolises life, immortality and strength. But it is not entirely clear as to the real meaning. However, it may have been worn as a livery badge by the household and followers of the FitzAlan Earls of Arundel in support of the noble family 14th/15th century
11.The Virgin and Child.
Set in an elaborate architectural border, it is suggested that this badge relates to Our Lady of Walsingham or possibly Our Lady of Willesden.
The Museum of London have similar originals of a later period.14th century.
14. Longbow Badge
The archery law of 1363 decreed every man between 16 and 60 had to equip themselves with a bow. It could also be a love token as the bow and arrow were a popular symbol of male virility in medieval times. Original found in Salisbury 15th Century.
15.Hawking
The Medieval sport of Hawking/ Falconry was a favourite form of hunting. It was a sport of royalty. Lower class Medieval people such as peasants and serfs could not afford to train the birds, therefore this would be a badge for the wealthier folk.
Late 14th century.
16. Star in Crescent
This is a popular Plantagenet symbol. Wearing this showed political and military allegiance to the Plantagenet cause. Popular during the reigns of Richard I and Edward I. 15th Century.
17. Cockerel
Not only a symbol of lust and amorous intent in the tradition of Chanticler as immortalised in Chaucer’s Nuns/Priests Tale. But also of strong religious significance symbolising vigilance, hence used as a weathervane watching for the powers of evil.
Original found in London.14th-15th century
18. Sun and Rose
Yorkist symbol of Edward IV had its origins at the Battle of Mortimer’s Cross 1461. The York army saw the illusion of three suns in the sky, thus victory for the Yorkist’s ensured that the illusion would be seen forever as a good omen. In this badge, the sun has been joined with another Yorkist badge, the rose. Original found in Salisbury.
19.Wild Boar
The white boar was the favoured symbol of followers of Richard III. The word ‘boar’ may also be a pun on the latin word for York ‘ebor’. In wardrobe accounts for Richard’s coronation in 1483, thousands of boar badges were produced. Based on an original found in Sussex 15th century
20. Yorkist Star
An heraldic ‘estoile’ possibly representing the Star of Bethlehem, relating to a relic of the Nativity.
Though the sunburst was also a Yorkist badge.
The original found in London had traces of gold gilding. 1450.
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