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Pilgrim Badges in London


Pilgrims used to collect badges when they visited shrines and here are some that I have found in museums in London


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This one is jet (a minor gemstone produced from decomposing wood being placed under high pressure millions of years ago. In Britain it is famously found in Whitby by the area around Santiago is also famous for it and you can still find items made from it when you visit the city) and has silver mounts and shows Saint James in his Pilgrim hat and holding his staff (Victoria and Albert Museum)


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This one dates from 1600-1700 and shows Saint James' head and is also made of jet (Victoria and Albert museum)


The below were found in the Museum of London although unfortunately none of them are from Santiago


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A selection of Pilgrim Badges from France a.) is from Noblet and shows St Leonard protector of prisoners, b.) from Noyon and shows St Eloi, protector of Blacksmiths, c.) from Amiens and shows St John the Baptist (The Museum of London)


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These are a selection of badges from Canterbury and date from the 1200s to the 1300s (The Museum of London)

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