This pilgrim badge of St Thomas Becket of Canterbury was found during excavations at Palmer Lane in Coventry.

The figure of St Thomas would have been sitting on the horse, but is missing now. Similar, more complete badges suggest that it was once much larger and included background scenery.

Pilgrims travelled to holy places abroad but also visited local shrines to English saints. People made pilgrimages for a variety of reasons including praying, healing, giving thanks, seeking forgiveness and visiting holy relics. Pilgrimages functioned as a path to salvation and also offered people the opportunity to travel.

In Coventry, the Benedictine priory and the Cathedral of St Mary had a relic of St Thomas Becket. St Thomas was Chancellor of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury from 1162 until his death in 1170.

He was murdered by four knights sent by Henry II because of his views on the rights of the Church. Soon he was being venerated as a martyr. In 1173 he was canonised and his shrine in Canterbury, as well as others containing his relics, were very popular places of pilgrimage.

Many pilgrims who visited Coventry wanted proof of their visit, so they bought souvenirs such as this pilgrim badge. The trade in badges was so lucrative that badge production in Coventry was controlled by the Priory monks!

You can see this and other pilgrim badges on display in the medieval section of the Herbert's History Galleries.