pilgrim badge

This pilgrim badge is formed from a heart shape mounted on a pin. Its origin is uncertain. Found near the Castle Gardens in Norwich, this badge may be a pilgrim souvenir from Bromholm Priory in Norfolk.

The heart features a possible crucifix at its centre framed by what may be flowers. Several similar heart-shaped badges have been found in Norfolk. Many feature blooming flowers. Like this example, they are often pierced by nails or crucifixes.

Bromholm Priory was a very important pilgrim site in the early 13th century and housed a relic of the True Cross (the cross on which Christ was crucified). The relic was famous for performing miracles, such as bringing the dead back to life, and curing the blind and lame. This pin bears similarities to late fifteenth century vellum souvenirs from Bromholm, which were specially commissioned keepsakes made from calf skin. They were often very expensive.

This badge may relate to a vellum souvenir card from Bromholm and also to the symbolic image of the instruments of the Passion on the Bromholm Prayer Roll. Pasted into the Lewkenor Hours (Lambeth Palace Library), the souvenir card shows Christ crucified within a heart topped by flowers. The Bromholm Prayer Roll (on loan to the Norfolk Museums Service) depicts a heart blooming with flowers, pierced by nails. Given Bromholm’s popularity among medieval pilgrims, it could be that this lead heart-shaped badge was sold as a pilgrim souvenir at the priory.