Medieval pilgrim “uniform”

St. James wears the distinctive clothing of a medieval pilgrim – a long tunic called a sclavein, a wooden staff, and scrip to carry his belongings at his waist. The broad brimmed hat turned up in the front, commonly depicted on pilgrims by the mid-thirteenth century, has a cockle shell badge, the symbol of his shrine. Bare feet were considered a type of penance, a self-punishment for one’s sins. He is also carrying a knife and a book, not typical for a pilgrim. The book symbolizes James’ status as an apostle; the knife symbolizes his role as Saint James, the Moor Slayer or may refer to the dangers on the pilgrim route. In the background, on the right, a pilgrim is being attacked. This painting is on the outside, left shutter of the three panel triptych entitled The Last Judgement painted in the late fifteenth or early sixteenth century.
Wikimedia Commons. Original painting located at Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, Austria.

Primary source image featured in Exploring Vacation and Etiquette Themes in Social Studies: Primary Source Inquiry for Middle and High School