Medieval Pilgrim badge, 14th century.
Medieval Pilgrim badge, 14th century.
Medieval Christians believed that travelling to pray at the shrine of an important saint would help them find salvation, perhaps heal chronic illnesses and disabilities or bring them forgiveness for crimes they had committed. It was also a good holiday. The monastery at St Albans was an important pilgrim shrine. It protected the bones of Alban, reputedly the first British martyr. Pilgrims who had reached the saint's shrine and heard Mass there would buy souvenirs, tiny containers to hold holy water from the shrine, or badges to pin to their hats or clothes.
These badges were mass-produced in moulds, and were usually made of pewter, so they were cheap enough for everyone to afford. This 14th century badge found in London shows the commonest image from St Albans - the scene of the saint's death, with the his head hanging from a tree, the sword, and the executioner with his eyes falling out.
