Saxon & Medieval — Late Medieval; late 14th century
Cock and hen mating
Secular badge of a mating cockrel and hen. \from Spencer, 1998, pg. 318, cat. no. 315: This is a badge with a sexual message. Cock birds were a symbol of lust and adultery. Being ‘cocky’ meant being lecherous. The haunts of prostitutes had names like ‘Cock Lane’ near Newgate, which still exists today. This badge may have been worn by a man to advertise his virility and availability. An early 15th-century poem/song (anonymous) has the lines 'I have a gentil cock, croweth me day...' and ...'and every night he pertcheth him in my lady's chamber', showing the double-meaning behind cock badges.
- Category:
- Saxon & Medieval
- Object ID:
- 89.122/1
- Object name:
- Cock and hen mating
- Object type:
- Artist/Maker:
- —
- Related people:
- Related events:
- Related places:
- Production date:
- Late Medieval; late 14th century
- Material:
lead alloy, tin alloy, pewter
- Measurements/duration:
- H 29 mm, W 38 mm, D 5 mm (overall)
- Part of:
- —
- On display:
- —
- Record quality:
- 20%
- Part of this object:
- —
- Owner Status & Credit:
Permanent collection