The Feast of the Cross, celebrated on September 14, is a celebration of the cross itself as the sign of salvation.
This month to celebrate, we are highlighting the Croix Bellaert badge which is dated to the 15thcentury and was found at the Sinten Shrine in France. This badge depicts a circular solid field badge with cross. The Croix Bellaert or belted cross originated with the discovery of a piece of the true cross and the healing properties then found in the well water in which it was found. originalWalraversijcle, near Ostend. Belgium.
The Assumption celebrated on 15th August is the belief that when Mother Mary died her body was assumed into heaven
This badge dated to the 15thcentury was found at the Eton Shrine. Shrine; Eton. Associated with Our Lady of Eton, it shows the central figure of the crowned Virgin, supported on either side by angels. She stands above the letter ‘e’ and a barrel, these being the seal for Eton.A similiar badge is located in the Musuem of London. A replica can be purchased here
Learn more about The Assumption of Mary on the wikipedia page
St Christopher, was and remains the Patron Saint of travellers. He was also believed to provide protection against sudden death and plague.
In this badge Christopher is shown leaning on a staff and turning to see the Christ child on his shoulder, holding the orb of sovereignty. The original badge was dated to the 15th century and was found in London.
Saint Alban is England’s first martyr. This replica badge depicts the story of how St Alban, a Romano-British Legionnaire at Veralmium was converted to Christianity while providing refuge to a priest and was killed when he refused to give up his faith and the priest.
The original badge was found in London and a similiar badge can be found in the Museum of London.
St Dunstan is the Patron Saint of goldsmiths, bell founders, jewellers, metalworkers, engravers and students. He was reputed to have caught the Devil and held him by the nose with a pair of red hot tongs. On the continent he is known as Saint Elegius.
This replica pewter badge of St Dunstan is dated to the 15th century. It was found at the Glastonbury Catherdralin London. The original is in a private collection. Buy a replica version here
This month we’re taking a look at one of the more famous English Saints, St George:
Famous for slaying the dragon and saving the princess, the legend dates back to the 12th century and is symbolic of the victory of Good over evil.
This badge depicts the popular legend in which the soldier – Saint George, slays the dragon and saves the princess. The legend dates from around the 12th Century and is symbolic of the victory of Good over Evil. The original is dated to the 14th century and is currently in a private collection in London.
This month in the medieval world we celebrate not a saint – but the principle Marian (Cult of Mary) event; Solemnity of the Annunciation or ‘Festum incarnationis’ (feast of the incarnation). It is held on the 25th of March and documentation across the medieval and renaissance world show that it has been celebrated on this date from the 4th Century.
The celebration commemorates the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary to announce that she had been chosen to be the mother of Christ, Son of God. Mary was invoked as the compassionate intercessor and protector of humanity and for her courage, humility and gentleness.
The Cult of Mary grew in strength in the 12 and 13th Centuries and flourished from the 14th Centuries onwards. It is believed that the veneration of Mary and her status as the mediator to God and a source of refuge for man is one of the a major Tenant and driving force behind the Age of Chivalry with its concept of the honour of a lady. Where women had often been viewed as a source of evil, the growth of the age of chivalry and the flourishing of the cult of Mary helped to change this attitude.
For Mary there is no single shrine, rather there are literally thousands of Marian shrines across the medieval world. They celebrate an apparition or other miracle ascribed to her, and most are part of or the reason for pilgrimage routes.
There are a host of pilgrims badges associated with Mary and of the Annunciation, some of which are associated with a particular shrine (eg Our Lady Undercroft at Canterbury), and others which were universal symbols and could be bought at any shrine. We carry a number of the most popular badges – listed below.
Saint Blaise was a bishop in Asia Minor, martyred in the 4th Century by being tortured with an iron comb before being killed. He is the patron saint of wool-combers and very popular with those seeking a cure for throat ailments.
To celebrate the Solemnity of Mary, we’re highlighting the Fleur de Lys badge.
The Fleur de Lys (also known as The Flower of Innocence) was the symbol of the Virgin Mary, so this badge may be from the shrine at Walsingham. Alternatively there is some suggestion that this particular badge design may be associated with the shrine to Our Lady of Undercroft at Canterbury. Badges for the virgin Mary were sold at many shrines as she is the patron saint for all humans, especially young children.
St Nicholas. late 12th to early 13thcentury. St Nicholas was the bishop of Myra in the 4th century and his best known miracle involved saving three impoverished girls from a life of prostitution by secretly delivering three bags of gold coins to their home, on three consecutive nights. Another involves the restoring to life of three boys who had been murdered, butchered and pickled in barrels. This miracle earned him the role as the patron saint of children and also the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. He continues to be one of the most widely celebrated saints – as Santa Claus. The relics of St Nicholas found their way to the city of Bari in Italy in the 11th century, having been stolen from Myra (in Modern Turkey) by Bari merchants or sailors. St Nicholas, who had always been a popular saint in the east, now became one of Europe’s most popular saints.
His feast day is December 6th.
Want your own St Nick? Buy a replica pewter badge here
