Beggar's badge

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This beggar's badge is from the parish of Forfar in Angus. It is made of lead and dates from the 18th 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.

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

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-184-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 14
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Iron. Inscription: FORFAR
  Badge
  
• Dimensions: 95 mm Diam
  
• What: Badge
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Angus, Forfar
  
• Event:
• Description: Circular beggar's badge of iron, showing a battlemented tower with a flag and the word FORFAR under it
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
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