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One of Scotland’s greatest treasure was carried into the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314

The Monymusk Reliquary, also known as Brecbennoch, is an eighth-century Scottish reliquary made of wood and metal and decorated with intertwined animals, and possibly once containing a relic of St Columba, the most popular saint in medieval Scotland.

He was an Irish abbot and missionary credited with spreading Christianity in what is today known as Scotland, at the start of the Hiberno-Scottish mission.

The reliquary is in the form of a small house-shaped casket. Photo Credit
The reliquary is in the form of a small house-shaped casket. Photo Credit

 

It dates from the middle of the 8th century and was probably crafted by Ionian monks. Photo Credit
It dates from the middle of the 8th century and was probably crafted by Ionian monks. Photo Credit

Believed to have been made by Ionian monks in the middle of the 8th century, the casket and lid are each carved from a solid piece of wood and covered in thin bronze and silver plates.

The piece as a whole is an interesting fusion of influences; a mixture of Pictish artistic designs and Irish artistic traditions fused with Anglo-Saxon metalworking techniques. It is an early example of a chasse or house-shaped reliquary, that became popular across Europe later in the Middle Ages.

The casket is wooden but is covered with silver and copper alloy. Photo Credit
The casket is wooden but is covered with silver and copper alloy. Photo Credit

 

It shows a combination of the Pictish and Insular styles. Photo Credit

The reliquary may have been handed to the abbot of Arbroath Abbey during the reign of William I (the Lion) of Scotland who reigned from 1165 to 1214. The custodian was charged with the care of the reliquary so that it could be used for saintly assistance by the Scots in battle.

It was long identified with the Brecbennoch, the ancient talisman carried by Robert Bruce’s army against the forces of King Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

This reliquary is thought to be the Brecbennoch which was carried before the Scots army as it marched into battle. Photo Credit1 Photo Credit2
This reliquary is thought to be the Brecbennoch which was carried before the Scots army as it marched into battle. Photo Credit1 Photo Credit2

 

It is one of the most important pieces in the National Museums of Scotland’s collection. Photo Credit
It is one of the most important pieces in the National Museums of Scotland’s collection. Photo Credit

However, recent research has questioned this tradition and highlighted that there is very little evidence to substantiate it and that this object was not the object mentioned in historical records.

We have another story for you: One of the great executive toys of the European Renaissance, the Mechanical Galleon is a masterpiece of both technological skill and high artistic decoration

It is now in the care of the Museum of Scotland, where it is one of the most important items in the Museum’s entire collection.

David Goran

David Goran is one of the authors writing for The Vintage News