The Virgin Mary

Part of a pilgrim badge of the Virgin Mary from an unknown shrine. This thin, copper alloy badge would have been vesica-shaped (shaped like a pointed oval) and could have been sewn onto a pilgrim’s clothes or hat, or stitched onto the pages of a prayer book. The badge is stamped with the design of the Virgin and Child surrounded by stars and roses. Around the edge is part of an inscription. The Virgin was thought of as a universal protector. Most churches had an image of the Virgin Mary as a focus for worship and some cult figures became pilgrimage sites, attracting visitors from beyond their local area. It is uncertain where this badge was produced – there were many cults of Our Lady in medieval England and abroad.