Banner (detail), known as the Fetternear Banner

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This detail shows the front upper section of the Fetternear Banner. The banner was made around 1520 and was preserved in the 19th century at Fetternear, near Aberdeen. It is the only known church banner to survive from Medieval Scotland.

The inner border is decorated with a rosary motif. The middle border has the motif of a knotted corn worn by some Franciscan orders and a design of hearts and scallop shells. The outer border is decorated with a motif of scallop shells and columbines.

The banner was probably embroidered professionally by members of the embroiderers' craft guild. It was intended to be carried in church processions, though as it is unfinished it was probably never used.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-100-002-286-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.LF 23
• Date: Around 1520
  c. 1520
  
• Material: Linen; silk embroidery. Inscription: Top left corner: arms of Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld; lower border: arms of a member of the Graham family
  Banner
  
• Dimensions: 1880 mm H x 960 mm W x 110 mm Th
  
• What: Banner
  
• Subject: Banners, flags (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Confraternity of the Holy Blood of St Giles' Collegiate Kirk (Probable owner)
  Gavin Douglas, Bishop of Dunkeld
  Graham family (Possible commissioner of banner)
  
• Where: Scotland
  Scotland, Aberdeenshire, Fetternear
  
• Event:
• Description: Fetternear banner made from linen embroidered with multicoloured silks, probably owned by the Confraternity of the Holy Blood of St Giles' Collegiate Kirk, Edinburgh, made in Scotland c. 1520
  
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