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LOT 3395

England. Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds 'Boy Bishop' PB Token. Time of Plantagenet to Tudor, circa 15th century AD.

Cast at Bury St. Edmund's. St. Nicholas ('Boy Bishop') series. Illegible inscription, bishop's mitre / Illegible inscription, long cross pattée, triple pellets in quarters. Cf. Mitchiner & Skinner II group i, 8. Near Very Fine.(1.62gr, 14mm.).

Provenance

Found Suffolk, UK.

Footnotes

This token is a remnant of an old tradition held in England during the Middle Ages. From St. Nicholas' day on December 6 to Childermass on December 28, a choir boy from certain churches and abbeys was selected to be a 'boy Bishop' for the period. During this time the child wore bishop's robes, preached sermons and headed a procession. These tokens are assumed to be part of this ceremony and may have been used by the boy to exchange for sweetmeats or alms.

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'Boy Bishop' Token

LOT 3395

England. Suffolk, Bury St Edmunds 'Boy Bishop' PB Token.

Sold for (Inc. bp): £72

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