14th century A.D. A significant part of a pewter pilgrim's badge depicting the robed executioner of Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster standing facing left as viewed and wielding the sword of execution; held in a card sleeve for display and with a small note confirming the published reference. See Mitchiner, Michael, Pilgrim and Secular Badges, Hawkins, 1986, nos.263-265, for other parts of this badge type; see Spencer, Brian, Medieval Finds from Excavations in London - Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, Museum of London, 2010, no.212a, and British Museum no.1954, 0502.1, for a large andplex badge depicting scenes from the events leading to the execution of Thomas. Spencer, Brian, Medieval Finds from Excavations in London - Pilgrim Souvenirs and Secular Badges, Museum of London, 2010, no.212d (this piece). 3.49 grams total, 42 mm including card (1 5/8 in.). Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 4), Essex, UK. Thomas was executed by beheading 22 March 1322 near to Pontefract Castle after his conviction for high treason following his rebellion against Edward II (who was his cousin) and his defeat at the battle of Boroughbridge. Thomas was tried by a tribunalprising Hugh Despenser, Earl of Winchester and his son together with Edmund Fitzalen, Earl of Arundel and King Edward II where he was not allowed to speak in his defence nor to be represented; the kingmuted the sentence from the normal 'hanged, drawn and beheaded' penalty for treason to simple beheading. After his death, miracles were said to have occurred at his tomb, which became a place of pilgrimage; some of his bones are said to have been discovered at an auction sale held in Colchester, Essex, 1942 following their reported removal from Pontefract Castle in 1885. Badges for this shrine are very rarely seen, mostly recorded as a few fragments from London deposits. [No Reserve]