St Leonard

Part of a pilgrim badge from a shrine of St Leonard, probably in England. This fragment is part of a standing figure of St Leonard but only the portion from his waist to his neck survives here. He wears a robe with flared sleeves. In his left hand is a crosier (the top is missing) and his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. Part of a chain hangs from his right wrist. There is a circular brooch in the centre of his chest below his collar.

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.