Pilgrim's Badge with Saint Leonard
Not on view
Badges and souvenirs of this kind were sold across Europe during the Middle Ages, at sites where saints had been martyred, their relics were housed, and miracles had occurred. Outside of Rome, Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where the relics of Saint James the Greater were preserved, was the preeminent pilgrimage destination in Europe. Canterbury Cathedral, where Thomas Becket was martyred, was foremost in England. Badges associated with each holy place offered proof that the wearer had made the pilgrimage. The sale of souvenirs was a major source of income for religious foundations. Lead alloy was also used for secular objects including buttons, badges, rings, as well as toys.
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