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.
35mm x 60mm

2. White Boar
A seated version of the livery badge of Richard III.
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.
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.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
56mm x 58mm

11. Bear
Worn by the retainers of the Earl of Warwick, Richard Neville, also known as the Kingmaker.

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.

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.
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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