History and Geography Meme 173: Pilgrim's Badges

Pilgrimage is traveling to a holy place to do honor to God and to the saints. In the Middle Ages, pilgrimage was the most popular religious activity outside of the parish. Every country had its own pilgrimage sites, places where saints were martyred or where famous relics were enshrined.In addition to these local and national pilgrimage sites, there were certain places which became world famous for pilgrimage. It is these sites which I have used ask a framework for my boy's history activities. As they made their "pilgrimages" or as they completed their activities, they earn pilgrim badges. (I obtained pilgrim badges from Pilgrims of the Holy Family Pilgrimage Badges at Catholic Heritage Curricula.) All of these projects will be used at our Medieval Feast to conclude our study of the Middle Ages.

Canterbury, England. In 1170 the Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, was murdered for defending the rights of the Church against King Henry II's encroachments. From the moment of his death Becket was acclaimed a martyr and pilgrimages immediately began to the shrine where his body was preserved. Canterbury became the primary pilgrimage destination in England and for people throughout Europe. The symbol for this pilgrimage badge is Thomas Becket's, Coat of Arms, which is three Cornish (Red-Billed) Choughs (Beckits).

Pick 2 of the following projects to do in order to earn this badge:

• Make a model of a wattle and daub house.
• Make an oil lamp.
• Make Frumenty.
• Research cures for illness in the Middle Ages and plan a way to present the information.

Cologne, Germany. This site claims to possess in its cathedral relics of the three kings who came bearing gifts to honor the Christ child, and so its symbol is three crowns. Pilgrims from across Europe came to honor the relics of the Kings who might be considered the very first Christian pilgrims.

Pick 2 of the following projects to do in order to earn this badge:

• Complete a whittling project.
• Make a medieval apple tart or waffles.
• Make a waterclock.
• Make woodcut prints.
• Make juggling balls and/or a jester's hat.

Santiago de Compostela, Spain. This is the site of the relics of St. James the Greater(or St. Iago in Spanish), the Apostle and brother of St. John. Compostela became one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Europe, so that other churches grew up along the routes pilgrims followed across France and Spain. Pilgrims to Compostela wore the badge of a scallop shell.

Pick 2 of the following projects to do in order to earn this badge:

• Sketch a plan for a castle and build a model of it.
• Make a model of a minstrel's musical instrument.
• Build a solar water purifier.
• Make a sword, battleaxe or Flail that you can play-fight with.
• Make a coat of arms and make a shield to put it on.
• Make Gyngerbrede.

Rome, Italy. This was one of the main pilgrimage destinations because it was the headquarters of the Church and because so many martyrs of the Imperial persecutions left their relics there. Pilgrims to Rome were called "Romeos" and filled the roads of Italy, particularly during the Jubilee Years, such as Boniface VIII declared in 1300, when pilgrims could earn extra indulgences.

Pick 2 of the following projects to do in order to earn this badge:

• Complete a stained glass project.
• Make a Book of Hours.
• Write and perform your own Miracle Play based on a Biblical story you know.
• Make your own quill pen and then write a verse from the Bible using calligraphy and an Illuminated letter.
• Make Medieval Baked Pears.
• Make a sundial.

Jerusalem and Bethlehem. Cities related to the birth, life, death and resurrection of the Savior were the most desired pilgrimage destinations. This journey, however, was very expensive, difficult and often dangerous, so only a fortunate few could make it. The pilgrims went to walk in the footsteps of the Lord: the cave of the nativity, the Mount of Olives, the Via Dolorosa, Calvary Hill, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Because the pilgrims to Jerusalem world a badge of palm leaves woven to look like the Jerusalem cross, they were called Palmers. Picture to the left is of a Jerusalem Pilgrim's badge of 1270.

Pick 3 of the following projects to do in order to earn this badge:

• Make a plan for a manor.
• Choose a site for a village.
• Design a sword and label its parts.
• Make rope.
• Make Strawberries-in-the-Snow.
• Design a manor house.
• Make a crown.
• Decorate glasses for use at the Feast.
• Make a Domesday book.
• Make a model of a bridge.

Instructions for making all of these projects are in Time Capsule: Medieval History.
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