Secular Badges

Secular badges became very popular during the 14th & 15th centuries. In style and manufacturing techniques they mirror pilgrim badges and it seems certain that they were made largely by the same craftsmen. In fact a stone mould for casting livery badges has been found at the shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, evidence that a nobleman would turn to the pilgrim badge makers when a supply of livery badges was required.

Livery badges in fine materials were distributed to a nobleman's household staff or retinue, while the cheap pewter versions were often distributed en-mass to his affinity, or those that lived within his power base, as a means of securing their support. From the late 14th century this widespread distribution of badges was legislated against by parliament, who feared that it created factions and tyrannies. However, the fact that so many livery badges have been found from this period suggests that such laws were to a large extent ignored.