LOT 2163

Medieval Pewter Pilgrim's Badge of Saint Werburgh

14TH-15TH CENTURY A.D.

1 1/4 in. (2.71 grams, 30 mm).

Formed as a low-relief image of three geese on a field with wattle hurdle fence panels; inked collector's mark to the reverse 'BILL.' (Billingsgate, London). [No Reserve]

From a retired Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman's collection, a long time member of the Pewter Society.

Cf. Mitchiner, M., Medieval Pilgrim & Secular Badges, London, 1986, item 651, for type.

St Werburgh (also Werburga in Latin documents) was an abbess, daughter of King Wulfhere of Mercia (died 675 AD ), whose emblem was geese. One of the best-known miracles was the command given by St Werburgh to a flock of geese causing havoc in the cornfields of Weedon. One version of the legend is that St Werburgh had been interested in a flock of geese that visited the convent meadow and bathed in the pond in Weedon. St Werburgh named her favourite goose with a black ring around his neck as Grayking. Subsequently, Grayking was eaten by the convent steward, Hugh, as the flock ruined his field of corn and he felt that they had not been punished enough by St Werburgh. When St Werburgh found out this she was furious with the steward. She found the bones of the goose Grayking and ordered him to arise. The bones reformed and Grayking the goose stood before her.