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PILGRIM BADGE

Unique ID: NARC-5D1753

Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow status: Awaiting validation

A copper-alloy mount in the shape of a scallop shell, quite possibly a pilgrim badge of medieval date. The scallop shell was associated with the pilgrimage site of St James of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, which became one of the most important pilgrimage centres in medieval Europe (Spencer 1998, 244). The scallop shell then became a uniquitous symbol for pilgrimage more generally. This example is slightly rounded on the front and dished on the reverse. There are two broken attachment lugs on the reverse. It measures 22.85 mm long, 22.1 mm wide, 2.84 mm thick and weighs 3.3 grams. Similar, slightly more elaborately decorated examples in a range of metals are recorded by Spencer (1998, 246; figs 249-250f). Examples from excavated contexts in London date from the 13th to 14th centuries, and this example may be of a similar date. Spencer notes how it can be difficult to determine whether all examples were truly pilgrim souvenirs and some may have simply been locally made decorative mounts, worn by devotees of St James (Spencer 1998, 247).

Subsequent actions

Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder

Chronology

Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1250
Date to: Circa AD 1400

Dimensions and weight

Quantity: 1
Length: 22.85 mm
Width: 22.1 mm
Thickness: 2.84 mm
Weight: 3.3 g

Discovery dates

Date(s) of discovery: Friday 1st January 2010 - Sunday 31st January 2010

Personal details

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Materials and construction

Primary material: Copper alloy
Manufacture method: Cast
Completeness: Complete

Spatial metadata

Region: East Midlands (European Region)
County or Unitary authority: Leicestershire (County)
District: Hinckley and Bosworth (District)
Parish or ward: Witherley (Civil Parish)

Spatial coordinates

4 Figure: SP3598
Four figure Latitude: 52.578694
Four figure longitude: -1.484931
1:25K map: SP3598
1:10K map: SP39NE
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 100 metre square.

Discovery metadata

Method of discovery: Metal detector
General landuse: Cultivated land
Specific landuse: Character undetermined

References cited

Author	Publication Year	Title	Publication Place	Publisher	Pages	Reference
Spencer, B.	1998	Medieval finds from excavations in London: 7, Pilgrim souvenirs and secular badges	London	Museum of London, The Stationary Office	244, 246, 247	249-250f

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Find number: YORYM-F54694
Object type: BADGE
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Possible pilgrims badge in the form of a scallop shell (is this from the shrine of St. James at Santiago de Compostela in Spain?).
Workflow: Awaiting validation

Timeline of associated dates

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Audit data

Recording Institution: NARC
Created: 14 years ago
Updated: 14 years ago

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