Beggar's badge

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This beggar's badge is from the parish of Dunnottar in Aberdeenshire. It is made of brass and dates from the late 18th century.

The circular badge is inscribed with the words 'Dunnottar Parish' around the edge, and the number 3 in the centre. It has an engraved border. Unusually for a beggar's badge, there is no perforation.

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: 000-100-002-206-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 72
• Date: Late 18th century
  
• Material: Brass. Inscription: Round edge: DUNNOTTAR PARISH / In centre: 3
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 80 mm Diam
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Dunnottar Parish (Maker)
  
• Where: Scotland, Kincardineshire, Dunnottar
  
• Event:
• Description: Beggar's badge of brass of Dunnottar Parish
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
• Related Records: