St Maur

Pilgrim badge of St Maur, from the abbey of Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, near Paris in France. St Maur (also known as St Maurus) was a 6th century monk who was said to have established the first Benedictine monastery in France. The relics of St Maur were transferred to the Abbey of Saint-Pierre-des-Fosse in the 9th century and so the abbey’s name was changed to Saint-Maur-des-Fosse. Pilgrims who travelled to his shrine were often hoping to gain cures for conditions such as gout and rheumatism. This circular openwork badge depicts the saint (head missing) in long robes. He is holding a book in his right hand and a spade in his left. There is a plant, possibly a vine, by the saint’s right side. The plant and the spade may be a reference to the monastic activity of gardening and also to St Maur’s patronage of gardeners.