St Anthony of Viennois

Part of a pilgrim badge, possibly from St Antony’s Hospital in Threadneedle Street, London. The badge is in the shape of a Tau cross (a T-shaped cross that resembles the Greek letter Tau), which was associated with St Antony. St Antony’s Hospital in London was set up by the Order of Hospitallers of St Antony. The Order specialised in treating a medical condition known as St Antony’s Fire (now called ergotism, caused by eating rye infected by a mould). The hospital’s masters raised its importance in the 15th century, attracting pilgrims and making souvenirs for them.