Beggar's badge

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This lead alloy beggar's badge from the parish of Forfar in Angus may well a fake. It dates from the 19th century.

The front of the circular badge has part of the arms of Forfar - a castle with battlements and towers. Above is the letter 'P', for 'Poor' or 'Pauper', while below is the word 'Forfar'. There are two perforations at the top.

The castle on the badge commemorated the fact that Forfar in the 11th-12th century was a royal residence associated with Malcolm III 'Canmore'. The castle at Forfar was destroyed by Robert the Bruce in 1308 when it fell into the hands of the English.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-196-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 46
• Date: 19th century
  
• Material: Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 66 mm Diam
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Forfar
  
• Event:
• Description: Beggar's badge, from Forfar
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
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