St Cuthbert's Banner
Hanging on the south aisle wall of the Feretory is a replica of the original St Cuthbert’s Banner. This bold processional banner is used during important cathedral ceremonies.
Presented to Durham Cathedral on St Cuthbert’s Day, 20 March 2012, the red velvet banner was completed by textile artist Ruth O’Leary. It was commissioned by the heritage body, the Northumbrian Association, and based on the description of the original medieval banner from the 16th century manuscript 'The Rites of Durham'.
The entirely hand-embroidered banner took over 800 hours to complete and used medieval techniques. There is metal thread embroidery with split-stitch decoration. The design shows details of local meadow flowers surrounding St Cuthbert’s cross.
History
A pattern for luck
Did the medieval banner have a relic of St Cuthbert woven into it, a piece of cloth from inside his coffin? The monks of Durham Priory believed so and prized the St Cuthbert banner, using it for blessings.
The banner was believed to give protection and strength to soldiers in war. It was first carried by Edgar Canmore’s army in 1097.
While staying at Durham, Canmore had a dream in which St Cuthbert told him to “carry the banner before his army and his enemies would flee in terror”. He did as he was told and won the Scottish throne.
The following 200 years saw similar results. Edward I, alongside Durham’s Prince Bishop Antony Bek’s army, rode behind the banner while fighting the Scots, most notably at Falkirk, where Edward I beat William Wallace. It was present at the victories of the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346 and the Battle of Flodden in 1513.
Destruction
Records show the banner was once brought into Durham City to ward off a blazing fire. It was also carried by the Northern rebels on the Pilgrimage of Grace to protest against Henry VIII’s plans to close monasteries.
During the 1560s, Dean Whittingham's Protestant wife burned the banner as a warning against Catholicism.
A true replica?
The original banner was probably made of red velvet with embroidered silk flowers of green and gold and three small bells attached to the bottom. In the centre was a white square bordering a prominent red cross.
But what did this cross look like? Today’s banner shows St Cuthbert’s pectoral cross, but this cross was not discovered until Cuthbert’s coffin was unsealed by James Raine in 1827. Did Durham’s medieval monks know about this cross? The original style of the cross remains a mystery.
Follow the guided tour
You’re in: The Shrine of St Cuthbert You’re at: St Cuthbert's Banner Next stop: St Cuthbert's Statue
- A medieval statue of St Cuthbert stands on the south-west side of his tomb.