Livery Badges
Just as people wore badges depicting their favourite saints, they also wore ones symbolising their loyalties to their overlords.
1. White Boar
This badge is the white boar of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who later became
Richard III. Based on an original discovered at Middleham Castle in Yorkshire.
White Boar badge, boxed with history. 35mm x 60mm
2. White Boar
A seated version of the livery badge of Richard III.
White Boar badge, boxed with history. 40mm x 50mm
3. Warwick
This badge known as the Ragged Staff, was used by the Earls of Warwick and
is attributed to the late 15th century.
Warwick Livery badge, boxed with history. 45mm x 12mm
4. Lion
A popular motif for badges and numerous examples have been found. Difficult
to assign to anyone particular person or king, it may simply have been and
expression of their national pride during the periods of wars with France,
although this lion is more widely associated with Mortimer.
Lion badge, large or small, boxed with history.
5. Talbot
The Talbot was a type of hound now extinct that was once used for hunting.
Talbot was also the family name of the Earls of Shrewsbury, staunch supporters
of Henry VI. This badge is based on a 15th century original.
Talbot livery badge, boxed with history. 36mm x 45mm
6. Clarence Bull
The bull was the symbol of George, Duke of Clarence, brother of Edward IV
and Richard III. Locked in the Tower of London, accused of treason, he died
mysteriously, legend has it, having drowned in a vat of malmsey. This badge
is based on a 15th century original discovered in London.
Clarence Bull badge, boxed with history. 30mm x 48mm
7. Swan
The swan was used throughout the late Middle Ages as the personal badge of
Henry IV and Henry V. A popular emblem, it was also adopted by the Stafford
family, Dukes of Buckingham, who were one of the major families involved in
the War of the Roses. This badge is based on a later medieval example.
Swan badge, boxed with history. 40mm x 36mm
8. Windmill
This unusual badge is connected with Robert Willoughby, Lord of Eresby. Lord
Willoughby was a supporter of the Lancastrian cause and was killed at the
battle of Towton in 1461, when the Lancastrian army was defeated by Edward
IV.
Windmill badge (sails revolve), boxed with history. 40mm x
35mm
9. Sun
The sun in splendour was invented by Edward IV after his defeat of the Lancastrian
army at Mortimer’s Cross in 1461. This badge is based on an original
found in Salisbury.
Sun Livery badge, boxed with history. 40mm
10. Order of the Dragon
This badge is a copy of an embroidery that was originally worn on a mantle
of the Order that was founded by King Sigismund of Hungary (1414-37) to combat
the infidel.
Order of the Dragon badge, boxed with history. 56mm x 58mm
11. Bear
Worn by the retainers of the Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, also known
as the Kingmaker.
Bear badge, boxed with history.
12. White Hart
This badge is based on an original 14th century badge and was used by Richard
II as his own personal livery badge. Richard was deposed in 1399 by Henry
Bolingbroke, later Henry IV.
White Hart badge, boxed with history.
13. Dolphin
Although widely believed to be worn by followers of the Dauphin of France,
finds in London would appear to be more related to an English family or an
organisation such as the Fishmongers Company. The dolphin was also a symbol
of love, diligence and speed.
Dolphin badge, boxed with history. 40mm x 45mm
Buttons
Buttons such as these were one of the few affordable ornamentations for the
common people. They cover a period from medieval to Tudor. We have a larger
selection than those shown, so please ask for samples.
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