Banner (detail), known as the Fetternear Banner

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This detail shows the central panel on the front 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 reed in Christ's hand was given to him as a sceptre by Roman soldiers. The hammer and pincers are symbols of the Passion (suffering) of Christ, as are the lantern, ladder and spear. The cock on the pillar represents Peter's denial of Christ.

The banner was probably embroidered professionally by members of the embroiderers' craft guild. It was made for a group known as the Confraternity of the Holy Blood who worshipped in St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-724-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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