Beggar's badge

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

The front of the pentagonal badge bears the words 'Ardrossan Poor' and 'No. 5'. There is one perforation near 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: 000-100-002-211-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 81
• Date: Late 18th century
  
• Material: Inscription: On obverse: ARDROSSAN / No 5 / POOR
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 49 mm L x 55 mm W
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Ayrshire, Ardrossan
  
• Event:
• Description: Beggar's badge, inscribed ARDROSSAN / No 5 / Poor
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
• Related Records: