Waites’ Cognizances of Leicester
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Wait’s Badge obverse | 
Wait’s Badge reverse |
Leicester Wait’s Badge | |
| Hallmarked for London 1695, with maker’s mark HO over 3 mallets in a shield Leicester, Leicestershire, England
The badge is embossed with the borough arms of a cinquefoil (five-petalled flower) with ermine or fur tails and the words BURGUS LEICESTRIAE. Waits were trained musicians who served an apprenticeship. Each town had its own distinctive livery. Originally the waits played wind instruments, but later strings were also played and many waits could play more than one instrument. |
