50 Objects: Learn about the legend of Saint Ursula at Clitheroe Castle
A fascinating chance to see and find out more about a rare and beautifully cast pilgrim badge believed to date back to the early 16th century is in the pipeline.
Found near Walton-le-Dale, Preston, the silver badge is understood to show Saint Ursula, who legend has it was killed in Germany in the 4th century AD.
Historians believe it may very well have been purchased by a person of high status, possibly during a pilgrimage to the shrine of Saint Ursula in Cologne, Germany.
It may have become separated from its owner during the time of Henry VIII, whose reign saw the religious turbulence of the 16th century known as the ‘Reformation’ and halted pilgrimages and the veneration of saints.
It's thought Saint Ursula is depicted in the pilgrim badge
Now, the pilgrim badge can be viewed at Clitheroe Castle Museum where it is on display until 30 September, and you can find out more about the story behind it by going to a special talk on 29 August from 6pm to 7pm at the same venue.
It’s part of an enthralling exhibition displaying 50 historical items across Lancashire, which launched in May to celebrate the half century of the county council in its current form.
Entitled ‘50 Objects,’ the ongoing exhibition features a host of fascinating and diverse artefacts curated by Lancashire County Council’s Conservation and Collection team to mark the occasion. Among these are a Roman spear, 9000-year-old prehistoric flint tools, and a cheese making machine from the last century, to name but a few.
Cultural historian Dr Sam Riches, who is Academic Coordinator of the Regional Heritage Centre at Lancaster University, will give a talk on the pilgrim badge from 6pm to 7pm at Clitheroe Castle Museum on 29 August.
The entrance fee is £5 including refreshments as well as entry to the museum, and the doors open at 5.30pm.
County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for Community and Cultural Services, said:
“We are very proud to be able to display this beautifully cast, silver badge, along with many other wonderful artefacts and historic items, as part of our ’50 Objects’ celebrations to mark 50 years of the county council in its modern form.
“Our team in Cultural Services have devoted much skill in putting together such an eclectic range of objects to really display the rich, prestigious and diverse heritage of the wider Lancashire community.
“We would encourage people to find out more about the tale behind this fascinating pilgrim badge by attending the talk at Clitheroe Castle Museum on 29 August, and by finding out more about our 50 Objects exhibition via our social media channels.
“You can also visit our brilliant libraries and cultural venues to learn more about our shared histories.
“Many thanks to the knowledgeable and hard-working staff in the Museum Service who have put this programme together.”
For more information about this and other events relating to the 50 Objects exhibition, click here.
To find out more about the 50 Objects, you can view our previous press release here. Historical items celebrated to mark council’s 50th anniversary | Lancashire County Council News
Notes to editors
- - This pilgrim badge was found near Walton Hall, Walton-le-Dale, Preston. It is a rare and beautifully cast silver badge of Saint Ursula, who according to legend was killed in Germany in the 4th century AD.
- - The mass production of pilgrim badges flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries, making them affordable to a wide range of people as souvenirs at Christian pilgrimage sites.
- - This badge dating to the early 16th century may have been acquired at the shrine of St Ursula in Cologne, Germany. Most badges were made of copper-alloy rather than precious metals, so this silver badge was probably bought by a person of high status, possibly associated with Walton Hall.
- - The 16th century was a time of immense religious change known as the Reformation. In the 1530s King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, appointing himself head of the Church of England. A turbulent period of religious reform followed which saw the dissolution of the monasteries, including Whalley and Sawley Abbeys in Lancashire. Pilgrimages were discouraged, as was the veneration of saints.
- - It’s believed there may be a connection between the pilgrim badge and a popular uprising of thousands of people called 'the Pilgrimage of Grace' which broke out in the north of England in 1536, in protest against Henry XVIII’s religious reforms.
- - Thousands took part, including monks from Sawley Abbey where a local force of around 3000 men gathered. A song known as the 'Sawley Ballad' was used as a marching song by the rebels. It was the most serious uprising of the Tudor period.
- - Clitheroe Castle Museum is open daily from 11am to 4pm. Museum admission is £5.00 for adults. Children and young people up to the age of 18 years go free.
- - Clitheroe Castle Museum is managed by Lancashire County Council’s Museum Service on behalf of Ribble Valley Borough Council.