John Shorne Pilgrim Badge, Boxed With Brief Historical Descripition

John Shorne was the rector of North Marston in Buckinghamshire from 1290 until 1314. Although not canonised, Shorne was popularly regarded as a Saint. At North Marston a well, miraculously discovered by Shorne during a drought, was said to have healing properties. He achieved a reputation as an exorcist and was said to have conjured the Devil into a boot. Such was his popularity as an unofficial saint that In 1478 his bones were moved to a new chapel at Windsor, so creating a new centre of the cult, and it is from Windsor that this badge probably originates (North Marston badges being quite different in design). The badge depicts Shorne holding a boot, from which peeps the Devil’s head, an allusion to the capture of the Devil mentioned above.

Origin and Date: Original found in London. Late 15th Century.
Size: Width 25mm x Height 40mm
Fixing / Fastner: Pin and Clutch