Beggar's badge

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This beggar's badge is from the parish of Fraserburgh. It is made of lead and dates from the late 18th century.

The circular badge has the word 'Poor' in the centre, and 'Fraserburgh' around the edge. There is a pierced suspension loop 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: 000-100-002-187-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 18
• Date: Late 18th century
  
• Material: Inscription: In centre: POOR / Round edge: FRASERBURGH
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 99 mm L (max) x 64 mm W
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Fraserburgh
  
• Event:
• Description: Circular beggar's badge with the word POOR in the centre, and FRASERBURGH round the edge, from Fraserburgh
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
• Related Records: