A Medieval Pilgrims Lead Holy Water Ampulla , Decorated With The Long Arrow Of Walsingham.

A very good quality ,medieval pilgrims, lead holy water ampulla.

This item which dates to the late 13th-14th Century AD, is wonderful allover condition. 

These items were purchased by pilgrims at the important shrines such as Walsingham and Canterbury. 

The holy water had been blessed by the monks and the ampullas were then filled with that water.

The handles on either side often had a chord attached ,which was then hung around the pilgrims neck.

It was often the case that on the long trip home these items were exchanged for food and water with farmers along the route.They were often deposited in the farmers fields to bless the crops for the following year ,as the holy water gradually leaked into the ground thus ensuring good crops.

Decoration in the form of the long arrow of Walsingham, with the tip above the letter V.
The reverse shows the shell of Santiago compostella.

Size 5.7 CM in Length.

North Yorkshire collection 1990s.

As with all of my antiquities and coins this item comes complete with a display box,together with a certificate of authenticity.