Walking Sticks in the Middle Ages
When one thinks of the Middle Ages, what comes to mind are the Crusades and the Black Death.
One doesn't often think of the prevalence of canes and walking sticks.
As in ancient history, the cane continued to be an implement and a symbol.
One example of this is seen with the bishops of the church.
During the 13th century, bishops were given large domains to govern and the symbol of the cane was important.
The church carried canes, or staffs, to symbolize their vested power.
For instance, the bishop carried his staff with the crook pointed outward to symbolize his rule over everyone, whereas the abbot carried his cane with the crook pointed over his shoulder to symbolize he ruled only over the monastery.
Every part of the bishop's cane symbolized a purpose, the bottom point to punish, the straight middle portion to rule, and the crook at the top to gather the wayward (Klever, 1996).
The bishop's cane also served practical purposes.
Some canes had a piece of cloth hanging from the top to wipe their brows in their travels through their realm (Monek, 1995).
We see, as in ancient history, that the scepter, which can be viewed as a type of staff or cane, is still an instrument of the king.
It also was a symbol of power and authority and symbolically used in coronation ceremonies.
We see the use of the baton also.
In ceremonies, kings held the scepter in one hand and the baton in the other.
It is also interesting to note that when the scepter was carried in the right hand it was the symbol of royalty.
When the scepter was carried in the left hand it was a symbol of justice (Synder, 2004).
One major indication of the times was the pilgrim's walking stick.
This was an implement used to aid in their journey and was also used as a defense against wild animals and nefarious folk encountered along the way.
There were, no doubt, several versions of these canes.
Thousands of pilgrims embarked on travels to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages.
A particular pilgrim's walking stick called the "bourdon" was equipped with a metal spike at the bottom and had a place near the top designed to stop the hand from slipping down the stick.
These could be quite elaborate, with a hollow portion at the top that could be unscrewed.
In this hollow could be secreted religious relics and valuables (Monek, 1995).
Finally, toward the end of this period we can see the walking stick beginning to become an accessory.
That is, it started to be seen as part of an individual's look or presentation, becoming an obvious part of their dress.
As an accessory, this became part of one's costume and one chose a walking stick that complemented their dress.
(Monek, 1995).
During the Middle Ages people in positions of power relied on the walking stick to communicate their position.
The walking stick was a useful companion to the pilgrim, and as the 17th century approached, we can see the cane becoming an accessory.
Throughout this period in history, the walking stick held its own.
Sources: Klever, U.
(1996).
Walkingsticks.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Monek, F.
H.
(1995).
Canes Through the Ages.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Snyder, J.
B.
(2004).
Canes and Walking Sticks - A Stroll Through Time and Place.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
One doesn't often think of the prevalence of canes and walking sticks.
As in ancient history, the cane continued to be an implement and a symbol.
One example of this is seen with the bishops of the church.
During the 13th century, bishops were given large domains to govern and the symbol of the cane was important.
The church carried canes, or staffs, to symbolize their vested power.
For instance, the bishop carried his staff with the crook pointed outward to symbolize his rule over everyone, whereas the abbot carried his cane with the crook pointed over his shoulder to symbolize he ruled only over the monastery.
Every part of the bishop's cane symbolized a purpose, the bottom point to punish, the straight middle portion to rule, and the crook at the top to gather the wayward (Klever, 1996).
The bishop's cane also served practical purposes.
Some canes had a piece of cloth hanging from the top to wipe their brows in their travels through their realm (Monek, 1995).
We see, as in ancient history, that the scepter, which can be viewed as a type of staff or cane, is still an instrument of the king.
It also was a symbol of power and authority and symbolically used in coronation ceremonies.
We see the use of the baton also.
In ceremonies, kings held the scepter in one hand and the baton in the other.
It is also interesting to note that when the scepter was carried in the right hand it was the symbol of royalty.
When the scepter was carried in the left hand it was a symbol of justice (Synder, 2004).
One major indication of the times was the pilgrim's walking stick.
This was an implement used to aid in their journey and was also used as a defense against wild animals and nefarious folk encountered along the way.
There were, no doubt, several versions of these canes.
Thousands of pilgrims embarked on travels to the Holy Land during the Middle Ages.
A particular pilgrim's walking stick called the "bourdon" was equipped with a metal spike at the bottom and had a place near the top designed to stop the hand from slipping down the stick.
These could be quite elaborate, with a hollow portion at the top that could be unscrewed.
In this hollow could be secreted religious relics and valuables (Monek, 1995).
Finally, toward the end of this period we can see the walking stick beginning to become an accessory.
That is, it started to be seen as part of an individual's look or presentation, becoming an obvious part of their dress.
As an accessory, this became part of one's costume and one chose a walking stick that complemented their dress.
(Monek, 1995).
During the Middle Ages people in positions of power relied on the walking stick to communicate their position.
The walking stick was a useful companion to the pilgrim, and as the 17th century approached, we can see the cane becoming an accessory.
Throughout this period in history, the walking stick held its own.
Sources: Klever, U.
(1996).
Walkingsticks.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Monek, F.
H.
(1995).
Canes Through the Ages.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
Snyder, J.
B.
(2004).
Canes and Walking Sticks - A Stroll Through Time and Place.
Atglen: Schiffer Publishing Ltd.
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