Beggar's badge

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This is a beggar's badge from the parish of Keith in Banffshire. It is made of lead and dates from the 18th century.

The circular badge is inscribed with the words 'Keith Pauper's Badge' around the edge. It has a single 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: 000-100-002-217-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 93
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Lead. Inscription: Keith
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 74 mm Diam
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Banffshire, Keith
  
• Event:
• Description: Circular beggar's badge of lead with one hole at the top, from Keith
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
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