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Pilgrimage became increasingly popular, particularly in the 12th century. To manage the growing number of pilgrims, specific regulations emerged, including the use of pilgrim identification paperwork to prevent fraud. Many pilgrims traveled to significant religious sites and often carried documents proving their purpose.
Interestingly, the rise in pilgrimage also led to the emergence of "pilgrimage police" tasked with screening pilgrims for legitimacy—a necessary measure to combat the rising incidence of individuals masquerading as pilgrims for personal gain.