Although not one of the most common medieval symbols, the dolphin is symbolic of love, speed, and as king of the fishes was seen as saver of the shipwrecked. As a mariners friend, dolphin badges such as this were perhaps most likely to have been worn as protective symbols by sailors or fishermen.

The dolphin was also adopted as a badge by the French Dauphin Charles (the future King Charles V).

15th century.

31x30mm A stylised Dolphin.