IMC 2019: Sessions
Session 1536: Pinning Down Protection, I: New Research into Late Medieval Pilgrim and Secular Badges
Thursday 4 July 2019, 09.00-10.30
Sponsor: | Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden |
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Organiser: | Annemarieke Willemsen, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden |
Moderator/Chair: | Annemarieke Willemsen, Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden |
Paper 1536-a | The Polyfunctionality of Script on Medieval Badges (Language: English) Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Daily Life, Language and Literature - German, Literacy and Orality |
Paper 1536-b | Saints and Sinners: Medieval Badges Excavated in Denmark (Language: English) Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Archaeology - General, Daily Life, Religious Life |
Paper 1536-c | Face to Face with Becket: Pilgrim Souvenirs in Canterbury Collections (Language: English) Index terms: Archaeology - Artefacts, Daily Life, Local History, Religious Life |
Abstract | The research into pilgrim and secular badges flourishes. These tiny, fragile, mostly pewter objects were mass-produced but bought individually, and worn on the body for commemoration, piety, protection, identification, and a bit of fun. After being worn, they were kept as souvenirs and sometimes placed in tombs with the deceased. Badges from the 12th to 16th century are excavated all over Europe and also depicted in art and referenced in texts, which indicates why people wore them. These often very detailed badges broaden the knowledge about travelling objects, transport of knowledge, and visual literacy in the late-medieval world. |