Beggar's badge

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

Record details

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Online ID:	000-100-002-209-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.KJA 77
Date:	1744
Material:	Lead. Inscription: AYR / POOR / 1744
Dimensions:	33 mm L x 40 mm W
What:	Badge, beggar's
Subject:	Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
Who:
Where:	Scotland, Ayrshire, Ayr
Event:
Description:	Pentagonal beggar's badge of lead with a perforated projection at the top, inscribed "AYR POOR 1744"
References:	Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179
Translations:
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