Retainer's badge enamelled with the arms of de Bohun. England, about 1250-1325.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1250-1325
Copper alloy shield shaped badge with a coat of arms consisting of a set of three diagonal lines with three lions rampant on either side. The remains of a broken suspension loop can be seen at the top.
This is an example of the type of retainer's badge which powerful noblemen gave to their followers, to identify them as part of their retinue and entitled to their protection. Livery badges were worn on the person or attached to the horse harness. This practice became so associated with political and social instability that efforts by Parliament were made to suppress it.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Physical characteristics
- Dimensions
- Height 4 cm; Width 3.9 cm; Depth 0.3 cm
- Materials and techniques
- Cast copper alloy with traces of enamel
Technical characteristics
- Place recorded
- England
Identification
- Candidate id
- vam-O374477
- Museum object number
- M.14-1989
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked single-object source. Wider type attribution and authenticity have not been independently verified.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type and source attribution against specialist references.