Medieval Pilgrim Badges

An endlessly fascinating folk art genre. They could be bought at most sites of pilgrimage, and we know of people who visited dozens of shrines to build out their collections. Above, from the shrine of Our Lady of Tambourline, a rocky islet off the Normandy coast.

One of the most famous and common badges, the shell from St. James of Compostella in Spain.

Two from the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury

From Rome

Most people seem to love these dirty ones, but I have seen them so many times that I am bored by them.

I prefer strange and obscure ones, like this dragon found in Poland, of unknown origin.

This represents Thomas of Lancaster, a political figure of 14th-century England who was not saintly in the least but seems to have become the partron of opposition to royal authority.

More obscure badges. Love them.