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Beggar's badge

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From the Parish of Kirkwall, Orkney

Beggar's badge
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This beggar's badge was issued by the town council of the parish of Kirkwall in Orkney in 1674. It is made of lead.

The front of the circular badge has a fully-rigged ship. Beneath this is the number 28. The badge has four pierced suspension loops.

In medieval and early modern times, beggars were generally valued and respected for the news they carried and for their craftsmanship or their medical or musical skills. This only changed with industrialisation, when the numbers begging rapidly increased

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