The badge was discovered in the Thames' mud at Billingsgate in the 1980s
It is a souvenir, bought by a pilgrim at Canterbury in the 14th century. it depicts St Thomas of Canterbury, murdered by knights loyal to King Henry II
Archbishop Nichols of Westminster explains why he has chosen to speak about the object in a BBC-British Museum series about important objects in The British Museum.
I have seen many pilgrim badges in my life, including stylised shells and keys, for example, that didn't cost a fortune to make. Presumably even simple working families wanted an outward sign of them having been on pilgrimage.
ReplyDeleteBut I have never seen one as artistic or as well designed as this one from C14th Canterbury. St Thomas would have been very proud indeed :)