Monymusk reliquary

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This portable reliquary, known as the Monymusk Reliquary, is one of Scotland's greatest treasures. It dates from around 750 and probably contained a relic of St Columba.

The reliquary is in the form of a small house-shaped casket. The base and lid are hollowed out of blocks of yew wood. The front has been covered with sheets of silver, decorated with interlaced animals, and the back and sides with plain sheets of bronze.

Portable reliquaries were carried on campaign with the Scottish army. This reliquary is thought to have been the Brechbennoch which was with the army at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-000-332-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.KE 14
• Date: Around 750
  c. 700
  
• Material: Bronze, silver, wood
  Reliquary
  
• Dimensions: 112 mm x 51 mm x 89 mm
  
• What: Reliquary
  
• Subject: Crucifixes, reliquaries (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Abbot Bernard de Linton
  Grant of Monymusk
  St Columba
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Monymusk
  Scotland, Angus, Arbroath Abbey
  
• Event:
• Description: Monymusk Reliquary, of wood, bronze and silver decorated with intertwined animals, which may have contained a relic of St Columba, made in eastern Scotland c. 700
  
• References:
  • Calder, Jenni. The wealth of a nation. Edinburgh: National Museums of Scotland and Glasgow: Richard Drew Publishing, 1989, pp 26, 74 
  • Caldwell, D.H. (ed). Angels Nobles and Unicorns: Art and Patronage in Medieval Scotland. Edinburgh: NMS, 1982 
• Translations:
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