The Medieval Podcast Behind the Mic
Episode 185:
The Medieval Swan
One of the best parts of my job is that each week I get to learn new things that expand my own understanding of the medieval world. I often try to project myself back to the Middle Ages in visual terms, which is why I love learning about things like plant dyes and hygiene habits, but I’m always aware that I’ll never have the full picture without a time machine.
This week, in my chat with Dr. Natalie Goodison about medieval swans, the conversation turned to badges, specifically ones which you might wear to show your affiliation with a political faction. In her book, Introducing the Medieval Swan*, Natalie has a picture of a beautiful, enamel-and-gold swan badge from the British Museum called the Dunstable Swan Jewel, which she speculates may have been worn as a livery badge, indicating affiliation with either Thomas of Woodstock (Duke of Gloucester) or Henry Bolingbroke (the future Henry IV), both of whom married into the Bohun family, whose sigil was a swan. Not just beautiful pins, these may have been subtle digs at King Richard II, as Natalie explains in the episode.
Although I’ve spoken with other guests about badges (notably Ann Marie Rasmussen in Episode 131), Natalie’s thoughts on the swan badge reminded me again that everywhere at court - and outside of it - people would be wearing colours, tokens, and styles which indicated everything from political ideologies, to histories, to marital status in a visual language that is, in many ways, lost to us. I always find it exciting to learn more about these codes, which, although nearly invisible at this distance, were extremely meaningful, and sometimes extremely daring.
The Dunstable Swan Jewel, held by the British Museum (pic by Ealdgyth, Wikimedia Commons)
Badges and jewellery continue to serve as important symbols, whose meaning people are ever-eager to decode. Like her accessory-sensitive predecessor, Richard II, the late Elizabeth II was always very careful in choosing her jewellery for state occasions, knowing that eagle-eyed royal watchers would be on the lookout for hidden signals. Elizabeth II also gets a mention in this week’s episode for taking a personal interest in the conservation of swans in the UK, all of which (if they are unmarked) legally belong to the royal family.
In addition to reminding me of how medieval accessories were worn and interpreted, Natalie Goodison’s book taught me a whole lot I didn’t know about the medieval swan. I hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did!
* Amazon book links on this website are affiliate links, meaning that anything you buy on Amazon through these links helps me fund my work as an indie historian. Thanks!