Fleulr-de-lys

Part of a pilgrim badge of the Virgin Mary, possibly from Canterbury, Kent. This badge is in the form of a fleur-de-lys within a circular frame; the fleur-de-lys was one of the symbols of the Virgin Mary. The badge would have been linked to a pendant but that has broken off. Other similar badges depicting Thomas Becket are known from Canterbury so it is likely that these circular framed badges that linked to pendants were made in Canterbury too. Several examples of this type of badge have been found in London and they have different pendants suspended from them such as a miniature bagpipe, a leaf and a purse. It may be that pilgrims could choose which pendant they wanted from a selection of religious and good luck symbols.