The inspiration and rationale for the design of this tile by Karen Slade
‘I adapted the pilgrim figure for the tiles so that the figure and the
knapsack were yellow against a plain background, so that it copies the
way that medieval tiles are stamped and filled with a different colour
clay. For inspiration I looked at two of the medieval tile designs that
I already make, which have similar faces, hands and tunics. One is an
Archer from the floor of Westminster Abbey Chapter House, which dates
back to around 1240, and the other is a Mermaid that that dates to
around 1320 and can still be seen at a church at Southfleet, close to
Dartford, Kent. A copy was also found at St. Bride’s Church in London
and is now in the Museum of London collection.
‘I placed the figure inside a circle, because this is often used as a
design feature of medieval tiles, especially with a central figure, and
is also part of the Mermaid tile. Corner motifs and patterns are often
used on medieval tiles and sometimes these are letters, or symbols, so I
placed the VF in the top corners for Via Francigena, and borrowed the
cross and the crossed keys from the original design.
The Pilgrim tiles are printed onto stoneware clay, with holes set into
the tiles so they can be attached securely to a building. Using a higher
firing clay and a printed pattern will give the tiles more resilience
and ensure that they last longer than a traditional inlaid earthenware
tile, which aren’t designed for outdoor use.
‘I gave the Pilgrim some facial features and placed their fingers around
the staff, and drew from the medieval tiles to create these. I like to
think that this Pilgrim could take their place alongside the Pilgrim on
the medieval tile found at Canterbury Cathedral, as they walk the route
from Southwark to Dover, exchanging stories and sharing the contents of
their packs!’
Karen Slade, medieval tile maker. March 2026