St Leonard

Part of a pilgrim badge from a shrine of St Leonard, probably in England. This badge is in the form of a standing figure of St Leonard (his head is missing). He wears a chasuble decorated with a cross over a long robe. A chain hangs from his left wrist.

St Leonard of Noblac was known as a liberator of prisoners and is often shown with fetters or manacles. His shrine at Saint-Leonard-de-Noblat in France was covered in fetters from the many prisoners who had offered them in thanks for their release. There seems to have been a shrine (or shrines) to St Leonard in England, for pilgrims who could not get to France during the Hundred Year’s War but its location is uncertain. English badges depict St Leonard as a bishop in vestments and carrying a crosier and fetters, as on this badge.