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Beggar's badge

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from the Parish of Ayr

Beggar's badge
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This beggar's badge from the parish of Ayr dates from 1744. It is made of lead.

The front of the pentagonal badge is inscribed in crude lettering with 'Ayr Poor' and the date, 1744. There is a single 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

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