Rights Holder: Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum
CC License: 
Image use policy
Our images can be used under a CC BY attribution licence (unless stated otherwise).
PILGRIM BADGE
Unique ID: WILT-6305E7
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete Medieval (1470-1520) lead pilgrim badge from the shrine of King Henry VI at Windsor, missing part of the edge. It measures 31.63x27.00x5.05mm and weighs 4.75g.
The lozenge-shaped badge has a standing figure of the king in the centre on a cross-hatched background within a pelleted border. The execution is crude, but the king's figure is draped and he wears a cape and a crown, and holds an orb and spectre.
At one point of the lozenge is a cluster of three pellets. At another, only one remains. Probably all four corners had a cluster of three pellets originally. The badge also has a small crack.
On the back of the badge is a squashed pin and catchplate.
This badge is probably a pilgrim badge from the shrine of Henry VI at Windsor. Henry VI was executed in 1471 and a cult grew around his grave at Chertsey Abbey. However, the shrine was moved to Windsor Castle in 1485. There are an abundance of pilgrim badges commemorating Henry VI found at Salisbury and in London. They suggest that for two or three decades, Windsor was the primary national pilgrim resort. For other Henry VI badges see Spencer (1990) Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum Medieval Catalogue Volume 2, page 52 - 54. Compare also NLM-FACEC6 and SWYOR-B4C081 on this database.
This object has been published by Lewis (2014, 119).
Class: Henry VI
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Period from: MEDIEVAL
Period to: POST MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1470
Date to: Circa AD 1520
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 31.63 mm
Width: 27 mm
Thickness: 5.05 mm
Weight: 4.75 g
Discovery dates
Date(s) of discovery: Saturday 1st January 2011 - Sunday 27th March 2011
Personal details
This information is restricted for your access level.
Other reference numbers
Other reference: SSWM 3614
Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: South West (European Region)County or Unitary authority: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
District: Wiltshire (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Idmiston
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: Generated from computer mapping software
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 10 metre square.
References cited
| Author | Publication Year | Title | Publication Place | Publisher | Pages | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis, M. | 2014 | Saints and their badges: Saints' Lives and Medieval Pilgrim Badges | Witham | Greenlight | 119 |
Similar objects
Find number: SWYOR-B4C081
Object type: PILGRIM BADGE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
A lozenge shaped lead alloy pilgrim badge dating from the late Medieval period. It is decorated with an image of a king wearing a crown with …
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: NLM-FACEC6
Object type: PILGRIM BADGE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete Medieval lead pilgrim badge from the shrine of King Henry VI at Windsor. The lozenge-shaped badge has a standing figure of the k…
Workflow: Awaiting validation
Find number: SF-37F174
Object type: PILGRIM BADGE
Broadperiod: MEDIEVAL
An incomplete lead or lead alloy medieval or early post-medieval pilgrim's badge. It is lozenge-shaped with a long strip attached to the reve…
Workflow: Published
Timeline of associated dates
About Us
About our Site
Find us
The British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG.
T: +44(0) 20 73238618