Funerary badge of the Black Prince
England, around AD 1376
A national hero ascended
This lead badge is of a type that would have been worn at the
funeral of the Black Prince in 1376. The Black Prince, Edward of
Woodstock, Prince of Wales (1330-1376), was buried at Canterbury
Cathedral, close to the shrine of St Thomas Becket (?1118-70).
Badges commemorating the funeral may well have been produced at
Canterbury, where pilgrim souvenirs were regularly manufactured.
However, the very high quality of this badge, in terms of execution
and design, could indicate the involvement of a court
craftsman.
What does the badge depict? The Black Prince is represented in
the centre of the badge, kneeling before the Holy Trinity. Behind
him an angel holds his leopard-crested helm, while another angel
emerges from clouds, supporting the Prince's arms on a shield. The
whole scene is encircled by a buckled garter which is inscribed
with the words hony soyt ke mal y pense ('shame on he who
thinks evil of it').
What is the significance of the garter and its inscription? The
garter was the emblem of the Order of the Garter, founded in 1348
by Edward III to strengthen the allegiance of powerful magnates by
promoting the virtues of knighthood and nobility. The Black Prince
was a founder member. The inscription is essentially a challenge to
those who might be opposed to the English claim on the French
throne - the issue surrounding many of the Black Prince's military
campaigns.
J. Alexander and P. Binski, Age of chivalry: art in Planta (Royal Academy, London, 1987)
J. Robinson, Masterpieces: Medieval Art (London, British Museum Press, 2008)
B. Spencer, Pilgrim souvenirs and secular (London, Stationery Office, 1998)