Beggar's Badge, 1700s

This pewter beggar's badge is from the parish of Dysart in Fife. In medieval and early modern times, beggars were generally valued and respected for the news they carried and their skills. This changed with industrialisation when the numbers begging rapidly increased and it had to be controlled.

Museum reference:
NLC-2004-421
Date:
1700s
Associated with:
The Poor Laws of 1575 and their subsequent practice made it necessary for shelter for the poor to be provided at public expense. Poorhouses were established in the 18th and 19th centuries and parishes often administered poor relief. Unlike England inmates of Scottish poorhouses were not forced to work but some were given permission to beg within the parish or burgh. In this controlled system the beggar's badge was a method of ensuring that the holder was a bona-fide beggar licensed by the authorities.
1700s

Dimensions:
height: 33mm
width: 69mm
depth: 2mm
Materials:
pewter
Inscriptions:
DYSART , No2 , POOR

Contribute to this collection item

Thank you for providing a comment on an object record. Please note that visitor submissions are the personal views of the individuals and not necessarily the views of North Lanarkshire Council. All comments are moderated. To understand how your data will be used view our privacy statement here.

1
Add image
Explore similar items