Beggar's badge

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This beggar's badge is thought to come from the parish of Killearn in Stirlingshire. It dates from the 18th century and is made of lead.

The front of the oval badge is inscribed with 'Killrn Poor' and 'No 2'. There is a 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: 000-100-002-218-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KJA 95
• Date: 18th century
  
• Material: Lead
  Badge, beggar's
  
• Dimensions: 40 mm L x 41 mm W
  
• What: Badge, beggar's
  
• Subject: Badges and insignia (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Stirlingshire, Killearn
  
• Event:
• Description: Oval beggar's badge of lead with a pierced loop at the top, possibly from Killearn
  
• References:
  • Brook, A.J.S. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquities of Scotland 21 (1886-7), pp 169-179 
• Translations:
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