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PILGRIM BADGE
Unique ID: GLO-E0E35D
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
A medieval lead alloy charm or pilgrim badge in the form of a two-dimensional purse dating 14th - 15th century. The object is trapezoidal in plan with rounded knops at each coroner, plus a fifth in the centre of the bottom edge. Detailing on the face of the bag is simplistic and consists of slightly angled vertical lines to denote folds in the bag, a semi-circular line on the top half to signify the mouth of that bag and a central knop below for the closing clasp. On the top edge is a semi-circular loop.
The reverse is undecorated except for a small rectangular tab in the centre of the left side, which could be the base of a mounting pin that would have been horizontal to the badge.
Although uncommon, there are examples found on this database at BERK-D6BE23, LON-C6D5A0, LON-1313D0, LON-95F886, LON-50BC72, LON-7697E7 and NARC-424E60
Spencer suggests that some purse-like items were seen as lucky charms designed to attract money to their superstitious owners (2010:314-315), but perhaps restricted to pendants rather than badges. A similar badge is in the British Museum collection No. 1856,0701.2115 is thought to be a pilgrim badge, St James the Greater.
Spencer, B. 1998. Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges. The Stationery Office, London.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1400
Date to: Circa AD 1550
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 24 mm
Width: 20 mm
Thickness: 3 mm
Weight: 4.32 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Tuesday 1st February 2022 - Monday 4th April 2022
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Primary material: Lead
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: South Gloucestershire (Unitary Authority)
District: South Gloucestershire (Unitary Authority)
Parish or ward: Wickwar (Civil Parish)
Spatial coordinates
4 Figure: ST7188
Four figure Latitude: 51.5900986
Four figure longitude: -2.42000057
1:25K map: ST7188
1:10K map: ST78NW
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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