Medieval 'Thames' Saint Catherine's Wheel Pilgrim's Badge 14th century A.D. A pewter pilgrim's or follower's badge in the form of the spiked wheel of St Catherine, with remnants of pin to reverse. See Spencer, Brian, Medieval Finds from Excavations in London - Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, Museum of London, 2010, no.198i, for a very similar piece; see Mitchiner, Michael, Pilgrim and Secular Badges, Hawkins, 1986, nos.616-623, for other examples. 1.68 grams, 23 mm (7/8 in.). Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 4), Essex, UK. St Catherine of Alexandria was a very popular saint and her badges almost always depict the wheel upon which she was tortured before being executed in the 4th century A.D.; to be 'broken on the wheel' was to be tied across a large wheel with arms and legs spread out and then to have the limbs broken with bars or hammers; this was often the prelude to execution. It has been suggested that that the Hospital of St Katherine by the Tower could have been a place of pilgrimage and hospital inmates were apparently required to wear 'signs of St Catherine' upon their robes. [No Reserve]