Medieval pewter badges, pilgrim badges and saint badges
What are pewter badges? History and manufacture
Pewter badges – also known as pilgrim badges or carrying badges – were part of the everyday kit of broad sections of the population throughout Europe from the 13th to the 16th century. They were produced as flat castings from a lead-tin alloy: craftsmen poured the molten metal into prepared moulds made of stone or fired clay, thereby producing large numbers of relatively inexpensive badges that even ordinary people could afford.
The result was small, flat objects with astonishingly fine detail – figures of saints, animal motifs, coats of arms or religious symbols. They were worn on pilgrims’ hats, cloaks, hoods or bags – clearly visible, for that was the intention. A pewter badge was not a hidden piece of jewellery, but a public declaration: of a pilgrimage, a patron saint, a ruling dynasty or a personal conviction.
Archaeological finds from the riverbeds of the Seine in Paris and the Thames in London have unearthed thousands of such badges and today offer a fascinating insight into the material folk culture of the late Middle Ages. Many of the replicas available today are based on these well-documented finds – including badges from the Cluny Museum in Paris, which houses one of the most significant collections of medieval everyday objects.
Pilgrim badges in the Middle Ages: significance and places of pilgrimage
The scallop shell – Santiago de Compostela
The Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela was the most famous pilgrimage route in medieval Europe. As a distinguishing mark, pilgrims wore the scallop shell – initially the real sea shell, later as a cast metal badge. Anyone returning home with the scallop shell on their hat publicly demonstrated that they had completed the arduous journey.
Jerusalem – Cross and Holy Land
The pilgrimage to the Holy Land was considered the most demanding and dangerous of all pilgrimages. The Jerusalem Cross – a large cross surrounded by four smaller ones – became the symbol of this journey. Authentic copies of this badge can still be found in museum collections today and serve as the model for replicas, such as those available in the Vehi Mercatus range.
Rome and the Holy Face of Lucca
Pilgrims to Rome brought back the Veronica cloth or the ‘Holy Face’ (Volto Santo) as a badge – a crucifix motif from Lucca that was venerated on the way to Rome. The pewter badge of the ‘Holy Face of Lucca’ was widespread among pilgrims to Rome and is one of the most frequently recovered pilgrim badges of all.
Cologne – The Three Kings
In addition to the three major long-distance destinations, there were a multitude of regional places of pilgrimage. Cologne Cathedral, with the relics of the Three Kings, attracted pilgrims from all over Central Europe. Local shrines and saints’ tombs had their own badges, often known only regionally – a testament to the enormous diversity of medieval piety.
Badges as protective amulets and religious objects
Pilgrim badges were regarded not only as souvenirs of the journey, but as blessed objects. According to the beliefs of the time, touching a relic or simply being in the vicinity of a pilgrimage shrine transferred protective power to the badge. It served simultaneously as proof of the pilgrimage, a protective amulet for the return journey, and a religious object for the home.
The main categories: pilgrim badges, saint badges and more
Pilgrim badges
The best-known pilgrim badges are directly linked to major places of pilgrimage: the scallop shell and Saint James the Greater for the Way of St James, the Jerusalem Cross for the Holy Land pilgrimage, and the Holy Face of Lucca for the Roman Way. They served both as proof of the journey completed and as a religious protective object.
Saint badges
Saint Christopher and the Archangel Michael were particularly popular patron saints for travellers and warriors. Christopher was regarded as a protector against sudden death whilst travelling, Michael as the leader of the angelic hosts and the vanquisher of the devil. The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) and the cross of the Knights of St John or the Knights Templar also belong to this category of devotional insignia.
Motifs of Sovereignty & Animals
Insignia with a political message, such as Edward IV’s Rose-en-Soleil or the Plantagenet symbol of the sun within a crescent moon, indicated allegiance to a ruling dynasty. Animal motifs such as the rooster, wild boar and pelican held symbolic significance derived from medieval bestiaries. A distinct category is formed by crude and erotic motifs – well-documented historically and part of medieval folk culture.
Symbolism of animal motifs and symbols of authority
Medieval bestiaries – illustrated encyclopaedias of animals – attributed a moral or religious significance to every animal, which also found its way into pewter badges. The cockerel stood for vigilance, passion and lust – it is no coincidence that cockerel badges, such as the pewter cockerel badge from 1350–1400, also appear in conjunction with bawdy motifs. The pelican, which according to medieval belief fed its young with its own blood, was a popular Christian symbol of redemption and self-sacrifice – and was consequently frequently used as church decoration and on badges worn by devout laypeople.
The wild boar symbolised strength, ferocity and courage on the hunt – a fitting motif for badges worn by hunters or men who identified with these qualities. Falconry badges referred to courtly culture and status, as falconry was a privilege of the nobility. The fleur-de-lys (lily) was not only the royal symbol of France, but also appeared in a devotional context as a symbol of the Virgin Mary. The Rose-en-Soleil – Rose in the Sun – was the personal insignia of Edward IV of the House of York and one of the most famous emblems of the English Wars of the Roses. The Plantagenet motif of the sun in a crescent moon and the Angus Dei (Lamb of God) round off the range of religious and regal symbolism.
Anyone delving deeper into medieval jewellery symbolism will repeatedly encounter overlaps between religious, political and apotropaic (protective) levels of meaning – pewter badges combine these levels within a very small space.
Pewter badges for re-enactment and LARP: What suits which era?
- Choose badges with precise dating (e.g. 1350–1400, 1400, 1450, 1470, 1530)
- For depictions of the Way of St James: scallop shell, Angus Dei, St Christopher
- For knights and clergy: Knights Templar cross, St John’s cross, Archangel Michael
- For late medieval civilian attire: animal insignia, love symbols, symbols of authority
- Heyday of pewter badges: 14th and 15th centuries – the selection is widest here
- Rough motifs: historically attested for the 13th–15th centuries, particularly in Dutch and French finds
- Motif selection based on character concept: pilgrim, merchant, soldier, cleric, noble
- Combine several badges for a personalised look
- Rough and erotic motifs can be used to make a deliberate character statement
- Badges can be pinned or sewn onto almost any garment
- Affordable price range (from €4.19) allows for multiple items without a large budget
- Also suitable as props for film, theatre or photo shoots
In terms of chronology, pewter badges clearly date from the late Middle Ages: The first documented examples date from the early 13th century, with the actual heyday lying between 1300 and 1500. Items in the range bear specific dates such as 1350–1400, 1400, 1450, 1470 or 1530 – this makes it considerably easier to achieve historically accurate periodisation for medieval garments.
Wearing pewter badges correctly: options for attire
Historically, pilgrims wore their badges in the most conspicuous place: the pilgrim’s hat. The wide-brimmed medieval hat was virtually predestined for a collection of badges – those who had completed several pilgrimages displayed this accordingly. However, cloaks, capes and hoods were also suitable places to wear them, as were belt pouches and bags.
They were attached either by pinning – many badges have an integrated pin or eyelet on the back – or by sewing. The range includes variants specifically labelled ‘for sewing on’, which are designed for permanent attachment to fabric. This is particularly practical for LARP costumes, which are subject to more intensive wear and tear.
Combining several pewter badges creates a much more authentic overall impression than a single piece. A sensible combination might be, for example: a pilgrim badge representing the destination (e.g. a scallop shell), a saint’s badge as a symbol of protection (e.g. St Christopher) and an animal motif of your personal choice. Complemented by fibulae, knives and medieval accessories, this creates a costume with recognisable depth and authenticity.
For re-enactors portraying a pilgrim to Santiago, a crusader or a late medieval citizen, pewter badges are not an optional extra – they are a central and historically well-documented element of costume. Medieval headwear such as a hooded cap or simple woollen caps can also be enhanced with pinned badges.
Browse through the range of over 30 pewter badges and find the perfect design for your costume – whether you’re a devout pilgrim, a proud knight or a lover of rugged medieval folk culture. With prices ranging from €4.19 to €7.14, you can mix and match several pieces without breaking the bank.
Frequently asked questions
Pilgrim badges were specifically associated with a place of pilgrimage – for example, the scallop shell for Santiago de Compostela or the Jerusalem Cross. They served as proof of a completed pilgrimage. Saint badges, on the other hand, indicated veneration of a particular patron saint, regardless of a pilgrimage – such as St Christopher as the patron saint of travellers or the Archangel Michael as protector against evil.
Vehi Mercatus’s pewter badges are made from high-quality cast pewter – a traditional material that was already in use in the Middle Ages. Depending on the design, they weigh between approx. 8 and 14 grams, which is close to the historical originals. Cast pewter allows for fine detail in the designs and has a pleasantly authentic weight compared to lightweight die-cast alternatives.
Most pewter badges have an integrated pin or eyelet on the back and can be attached directly to fabric, a hat or a bag – just like the historical originals. Some models in the range are specifically designed to be sewn on and are particularly suitable for LARP costumes that are subject to heavier wear and tear. Historically correct places to wear them include pilgrim’s hats, cloaks, hoods and belt pouches.
Pewter badges are clearly associated with the Late Middle Ages, with the earliest evidence dating from the early 13th century and a peak period between 1300 and 1500. The products in the range bear specific dates such as 1350–1400, 1400, 1450, 1470 or 1530, which makes it easier to incorporate them into a historical re-enactment concept. Pewter badges are not historically documented for early medieval or Viking re-enactments.
Crude and erotic pewter badges – including phallic motifs and explicit depictions – are well attested archaeologically and originate mainly from finds dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries in northern France and the Netherlands. Researchers interpret them as part of a crude folk culture and possibly as good-luck charms or apotropaic (protective) symbols. They existed alongside devout pilgrim badges – a sign of the breadth of medieval everyday culture.