Beggar's badges

Add to album

These four beggar's badges (clockwise from top left) are from Rodel on Harris in Inverness-shire (undated), Kirkwall on Orkney (undated), Skene in Aberdeenshire (dated 1830) and Ecclesgreig in Kincardineshire (dated 1773).

The Rodel and Kirkwall badges depict scenes - the first has a church, a bull's head and the sun and the second, a sailing ship in relief. The Skene and Ecclesgreig badges are inscribed, 'Pauper/Parish of Skene/1830' and 'N 9/Eglsgrig Parish/1773'.

Usually made of lead or pewter, beggars' badges generally bear the name of the parish in which they were issued, and often have a unique number. Sometimes they are engraved with the holder's name.

Record details

To search on related items, click any underlined text below.

• Online ID: 000-100-002-201-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 85
• Date: 1773
  1773 and 1830
  1830
  
• Material: Lead. Inscription: 34
  Lead. Inscription: No. / EGLSGRIG / PARISH / 1773
  Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 100 mm H x 65 mm W
  54 mm Diam
  60 mm Diam
  68 mm Diam (max)
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Cree Collection
  
• Where: Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Skene
  Scotland, Inverness-shire, Outer Hebrides, Harris, Rodel
  Scotland, Kincardineshire, St Cyrus
  Scotland, Kincardineshire, St Cyrus, Ecclesgreig
  Scotland, Orkney, Kirkwall
  
• Event:
• Description: Circular beggar's badge of lead with four holes, inscribed No. / EGLSGRIG / PARISH / 1773, from the parish of Ecclesgreig (St Cyrus), Kincardineshire
  Beggar's badge showing a church, a bull's head, the sun and a worn inscription, from Rodel, Harris
  Beggar's badge from Skene, Aberdeenshire, 1830
  Circular beggar's badge of lead, showing a ship sailing left in relief
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: