A James II silver Waits' badge

A James II silver Waits' badge,

unmarked, dated 1688,

oval form, the centre with the arms of Wakefield, engraved around the rim 'Wakefield Waits 1688', with two ring attachments, length 12.6cm, approx. weight 2oz.

Provenance: The Oakwood Collection, Centuries of Style, Christie's, London 17th November 2009, lot 230.

This Waits' badge was worn around the neck of one of the town Waits, corporation minstrels or musical watchmen who sang the hours of the night and warned the towns people of fire and other dangers in "rude rhyme".

The Waits would have played every morning and night and at all major feasts. They supplemented the gratuities and stipends they received from the townspeople and council by playing at weddings. They received the badge on their appointment to the office, having provided two sureties for the safekeeping of the badge. The badges were returned to the council upon death or dismissal from the office.