pilgrim badge

This pilgrim badge, made of lead depicts Saint Peter holding a pair of keys and Saint Paul holding a sword, on either side of a cross . Often depicted together, Saint Peter and Saint Paul are believed to represent the two complementary aspects of the Church: tradition, and mission.

Several badges depicting the Saints have been found in Britain. A number of them have been confirmed as being from the city of Rome, where Saints Peter and Paul were killed and buried. They were both believed to have been martyred (accepting death for their faith), on the same day, by Emperor Nero (37-68 AD) in AD 64. Constantine the Great (272-337), the first Christian Emperor, built grand basilicas (churches) over both saints’ tombs . These shrines attracted pilgrims from across Europe. British pilgrims travelling to the city would have followed the Via Francigena, which was an ancient road and pilgrim route that ran from the cathedral city of Canterbury in England, through France to Rome and on to the Holy Land.

Pilgrim badges like this one, would have probably been bought as souvenir s. Small metal hoops may have sat on each of the now missing corners. These would have been used to sew the badge onto the wearer’s garments. This badge would have been worn as proof of the pilgrim’s sacred journey.