St Blaise

Beskrivning

Saint Blaise was a Bishop in Asia Minor who was martyred in the 4th century. Before being killed he was tortured with an iron comb and subsequently he became the patron saint of wool-combers. Pilgrim badges relating to Saint Blaise usually show him holding his emblem of a comb. A shrine to Saint Blaise stood near to that of Saint Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral and he was very popular with those seeking a cure for throat ailments.
The original of this simple little badge was found at the abandoned 15th century village of Walraversijde, near Ostend, Belgium.