{"id":12122,"date":"2026-07-20T13:23:55","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T11:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nederlandsetempeliers.nl\/pilgrims-equipment\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T10:58:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T08:58:24","slug":"pilgrims-equipment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nederlandsetempeliers.nl\/en\/pilgrims-equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilgrim’s Equipment"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Pilgrim\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Pilgrim's Equipment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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A pilgrim is a believer who journeys to a holy place, often on foot and out of devotion or as an act of penance. Well-known destinations include Santiago de Compostela, Lourdes, Rome, and Jerusalem.It is often said that a pilgrim does not merely walk a road\u2026 the road shapes the pilgrim.

In the Middle Ages, a pilgrim often departed without certainty.He left behind his home, his land, sometimes even his name.What he carried was little: a staff, a cloak, a small pouch \u2014and something you could not see, yet heavier than all the rest combined:
An inner calling.Some set out in gratitude. Others as an act of penance. Still others because they felt they had come to a standstill in life \u2014 and needed to start moving again.There was no certainty along the way. No guarantee of food, no safe place to spend the night, no promise that they would ever reach their destination.And yet… they went.Perhaps that is the true essence of a pilgrim: not that they arrive, but that they dare to set out. <\/p>

Such a journey required preparation. Therefore, a pilgrim carried only what was needed along the way. The staff and the scrip \u2014 a simple pilgrim’s bag or pouch \u2014 were among the most recognizable parts of a pilgrim’s equipment. These two items were considered so important that, before departure, they could be blessed together and ceremonially presented to the pilgrim. In medieval departure rituals, they are consistently mentioned as a pair: the scrip and the staff. <\/p>

In addition, the pilgrim also wore a hat and a cloak.<\/p>

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The staff was not only intended to provide stability on rough terrain; it also symbolized:\u2022 being on a journey \u2022 support during the pilgrimage \u2022 trust in God The staff could also be decorated, sometimes with ornaments and sometimes with pilgrim badges, such as the Scallop Shell of Santiago. What has been passed down from that to the present day are the well-known small shields on a walking stick; that is their origin. <\/p>

A small gourd used as a drinking flask. But sometimes also a small pouch, was sometimes hung from the staff, as well as a little bell, a pilgrim badge, or other decorations. In later centuries, ribbons and other keepsakes were added as well.
Such a pouch was also for spiritual support, In turn, this symbolized owning little, trusting in God’s provision during the journey, and leaving room to receive something from others.In a way, it was a small medieval survival kit \u2014 but also a place to keep meaningful mementos. <\/p>

What was kept inside the pilgrim’s pouch?
For example:
Rosary or prayer beads\u2013 for prayer, to provide courage, confidence, and spiritual support.
Salt\u2013 a symbol of purity and faithfulness\u2013 “You are the salt of the earth.” (Matthew 5:13)
A small stone\u2013 a reminder of the labyrinth or the path someone has walked\u2013 God as the Rock<\/strong>
A small piece of oak wood or an acorn\u2013 strength and steadfastness\u2013 a reference to your oak tree at the entrance
A small piece of bread or a grain of wheat\u2013 life, nourishment, and community
A short piece of red cord or red ribbon\u2013 a symbol of connection with the brotherhood and the path someone has travelled
Herbs\u2013 not only for cooking, but also as medicine. Equally important, however, was their symbolic meaning. <\/p>

Not all of this was included as standard. It is all according to the needs of the pilgrim himself. The beauty of such a small bundle is that it quietly says: “You continue your journey, and now you carry a part of this place with you.” It also says: “Here, I found peace.” <\/p>

The scrip \u2013 the pilgrim’s bag or pouch:A pilgrim did not carry the contents of an entire camper. So no kitchen with a gas stove, a spare bed, a spice rack, and certainly no goat tucked away in the bag.
The most important point first: there was no standard packing list for every medieval pilgrim.What someone carried depended on their financial means, the distance to be travelled, the season, the destination, and whether they travelled alone or in a group. Moreover, the scrip was not large. The whole idea was to travel lightly and to depend along the way on inns, monasteries, hospices, purchases, and the generosity of others. <\/p>

It probably contained simple, everyday necessities, such as:\u2022 bread or other non-perishable food; \u2022 a small purse with some money; \u2022 a knife for eating and everyday use; \u2022 letters of travel or recommendation; \u2022 a small prayer book or other devotional item, if the pilgrim owned one; \u2022 after visiting a shrine: a pilgrim badge, ampulla, or another keepsake. Small ampullae could contain holy water or oil from a holy shrine. <\/p>

In addition, a pilgrim might carry a drinking vessel, bowl, or bottle. However, these were often attached to the belt or the staff rather than stored inside the bag. A staff, a scrip, and a drinking vessel therefore did not necessarily mean that everything was crammed into one overfilled pilgrim’s pouch. <\/p>

Cloak and hat:Pilgrim badges were purchased at places of pilgrimage. They served as proof of the journey or as a lasting reminder of the visit. They were often fastened visibly to the pilgrim’s hat or clothing and therefore did not remain inside the bag for long. In this way, others could immediately see where the pilgrim had travelled and at which holy places acts of devotion or penance had been performed. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Pilgrims badges
From left to right: Breda the Netherlands (Nierveart, c. 1500) \u2013 Jerusalem (c. 900) \u2013 Cross from Southern France (c. 1200)<\/pre>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"pelgrimsinsigne\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pilgrim’s Equipment A pilgrim is a believer who journeys to a holy place, often on foot and out of devotion or as an act of penance. 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