Fleur de Lys

Description

Pilgrim badge: Fleur de Lys

Time period:1400 to mid 15th Century
Origin: England
Materials: Pewter
Product Dimensions: Dimensions; 35mm

Further details:

Date 1400 to 1450 this badges depicts a fleur-de-lys in a beaded circular frame with pearls. The fleur de leys represents the Lily, or the Flower of Innocence which was the symbol of the Virgin Mary and the pearls are indicative of purity. It has been suggested that this badge may be from Walsingham Shrine. Alternatively there are also suggestions that this particular badge design is associated with the shrine to Our Lady of Undercroft at Canterbury.

Potted history

After Canterbury Cathedral, Walsingham in Norfolk was the next most important pilgrimage site in England. Though it did not rival Canterbury it did claim an international reputation and destination.