Paternoster, 'Museum of London', c. 1400

Very basic bead suitable for common and lower status portrayals for the period 1395 - 1430.  A great choice for soldier or tradesman impressions. 


All of our prayer beads are based on extant originals and/or visual examples. These are patterned after a string of 27 round, wooden rosary beads in the collection of the Museum of London. (MoL accession number 5079, found at Worship Street, Finsbury in 1890).  A similarly configured string of lapis lazuli beads dated 1395-1401 forms part of the Salzburg Cathedral museum collection; More paternosters of the same style are carried by Pierre Salmon in Pierre Salmon, Dialogues. BNF ms. fr. 23279, fol. 5 (1409) and Geneva ms. 165, fol. 7 (1412)

Available in LARGE and SMALL
LARGE is approx 8" long and features blonde counter beads and larger dark brown gauds.
SMALL is approx 4.5" long and features medium brown counter beads and gauds. 

(NOTE: The cord tails can be cut off at the knot by the purchaser if desired. A drop of glue on the knot is suggested for security if the tails are removed)

Paternoster comes with storage bag and information about religion and the use of prayer beads in medieval Europe. Sheet also contains the Pater Noster and Ave Maria prayers in Latin. 

For more general information on our prayer beads, please see the main section page as well as General Information

PLEASE NOTE: These are individually hand made by Gwen. As with all handmade items there may be slight variations due to the nature of the materials used.

Historical Accuracy Rating  


$8.95

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  • Model: SL-ROS-MOL/5
  • Shipping Weight: 0.2lbs




This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 14 February, 2013.