Holyrood (cross)

Last updated

The Holyrood or Holy Rood is a Christian relic alleged to be part of the True Cross on which Jesus died. The word derives from the Old English rood , meaning a pole and the cross, via Middle English, or the Scots haly ruid ("holy cross"). Several relics venerated as part of the True Cross are known by this name, in England, Ireland and Scotland.

Contents

Black Rood of Scotland

Saint Margaret (c. 1045–1093), a Saxon Princess of England, was born in Hungary. Following the conquest of England by the Normans in 1066, she fled to Scotland, where she married Malcolm III Canmore, King of Scotland. She is said to have brought the "Holy Rood", a fragment of Christ's cross, from Hungary or England to Scotland with her. It was known as the Black Rood of Scotland.

The Catholic Encyclopedia reports that Saint Margaret brought the cross from Waltham Abbey, after which it was kept in Holyrood Abbey, which her son erected in Edinburgh. [1]

The relic was removed from Scotland by Edward I of England in 1296, along with the Stone of Scone and other treasures, but the Black Rood was returned in 1328. It was regained by the English following the Battle of Neville's Cross in 1346, after which it was held in Durham Cathedral until the Reformation of 1540, when it was presumably destroyed. [2]

Aelred of Rievaulx gave a description [3] of the relic in his Genealogia regum Anglorum ("Genealogy of the Kings of the English" written 1153–54) which has been translated as "It is about an ell long, manufactured of pure gold, of most wonderful workmanship, and is shut and opened like a chest. Inside may be seen a portion of our Lord's Cross, (as has often been proved by convincing miracles), having a figure of our Saviour sculptured of massive ivory, and marvellously adorned with gold." [4] An inventory made in England described the cross and its case in Latin soon after it was taken from Edinburgh Castle in 1296 as; "Unum scrinium argenteum deauratum in quo reponitur crux que vocatur le blake rode", which can be translated as "A silver-gilt casket in which lies the cross called the Black Rood". [5]

Holy Cross Abbey

A fragment of the Holy Rood was brought to a Cistercian Abbey in Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland by Isabella of Angoulême, widow of King John of England, and thenceforth the Abbey was called Holy Cross Abbey. The relic was lost following the Cromwellian war in Ireland. However, it was later found and is currently in the Abbey.

Waltham Abbey

The term is also applied to the black flint cross formerly held at Waltham Abbey in Essex, England. The Holy Rood or Cross was the subject of veneration and pilgrimage in the Middle Ages, but disappeared when the Abbey was dissolved in 1540. [6] Local Somerset tradition has it that the flint cross (or crosses) were found on St Michael's Hill, Montacute. Then variously called Logaresburgh by the Saxons, later Bishopstone or Biscepstone, the Montacute estate was owned by Tofig (Tovy), a staller (placeman or court office-holder) to Danish King Canute. Village tradition remembers Tofig as "Cnut's standard bearer". In 1030 (1035 in some records) following a series of dreams in which the Devil told him where to dig, a local blacksmith found buried on St Michael's Hill a black flint crucifix or Holy Rood. (Some early versions state two black flint crosses were found, one large, one small. Another variant is that the second cross was wooden, and accompanied by a bell and a book/copy of the gospels.) Tofig loaded the life-sized cross (or crosses) onto a cart, and then named a series of possible destinations owned by him. The oxen pulling the wagon (six red and six white in one version of the tale) refused to move until he said Waltham in Essex, where Tofig already had a hunting lodge. They then started, and continued non-stop until they reached Waltham, and where they stopped Tofig decided to build an abbey at the site – this became Waltham Abbey. In the meantime, Tofig rebuilt the church at Waltham to house the cross, on which he bestowed his own sword, and his second wife Gytha (or Glitha), the daughter of Osgod Clapa, adorned the figure with a crown, bands of gold and precious stones.

The cross became the object of pilgrimage, notably by Harold Godwinson. "Holy Cross" became the battle-cry of Harold's armies at the battles of Stamford Bridge and Hastings. The Holy Rood is said to have foretold Harold's defeat at Hastings: on the way there from the Battle of Stamford Bridge he stopped off at Waltham Abbey to pray, and the legend is that the cross "bowed down" off the wall as he did so, taken as a portent of doom. There have been suggestions that the smaller cross became the "Holy Rood" which was carried to Scotland from Waltham Abbey by St Margaret. There has been further speculation that the site the relics were excavated from was the burial site of Joseph of Arimathea as some versions of the Grail Story conflate the hills of Montacute and Glastonbury, both being dedicated to St Michael. Given that a black flint cross was said to have been carried to Scotland from Waltham, it seems possible that this was one of, or part of one of, the Montacute crosses.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Grail</span> Cup, dish, or stone with miraculous powers, important motif in Arthurian literature

The Holy Grail is a treasure that serves as an important motif in Arthurian literature. Various traditions describe the Holy Grail as a cup, dish, or stone with miraculous healing powers, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenance in infinite abundance, often guarded in the custody of the Fisher King and located in the hidden Grail castle. By analogy, any elusive object or goal of great significance may be perceived as a "holy grail" by those seeking such.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holyrood Abbey</span> Architectural structure in Edinburgh

Holyrood Abbey is a ruined abbey of the Canons Regular in Edinburgh, Scotland. The abbey was founded in 1128 by David I of Scotland. During the 15th century, the abbey guesthouse was developed into a royal residence, and after the Scottish Reformation the Palace of Holyroodhouse was expanded further. The abbey church was used as a parish church until the 17th century, and has been ruined since the 18th century. The remaining walls of the abbey lie adjacent to the palace, at the eastern end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. The site of the abbey is protected as a scheduled monument.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waltham Abbey Church</span> Parish church in Waltham Abbey, Essex, England

The Abbey Church of Waltham Holy Cross and St Lawrence, also known as Waltham Abbey, is the parish church of the town of Waltham Abbey, Essex, England. It has been a place of worship since the 7th century. The present building dates mainly from the early 12th century and is an example of Norman architecture. To the east of the existing church are traces of an enormous eastward enlargement of the building, begun following the re-foundation of the abbey in 1177. In the Late Middle Ages, Waltham was one of the largest church buildings in England and a major site of pilgrimage; in 1540 it was the last religious community to be closed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. It is still an active parish church for the town, and is a grade I listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rievaulx Abbey</span> Ruined mediaeval abbey in Yorkshire, England

Rievaulx Abbey was a Cistercian abbey in Rievaulx, near Helmsley, in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. It was one of the great abbeys in England until it was seized in 1538 under Henry VIII during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. The wider site was awarded Scheduled Ancient Monument status in 1915 and the abbey was brought into the care of the then Ministry of Works in 1917. The ruins of its main buildings are today a tourist attraction, owned and maintained by English Heritage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Lance</span> Lance that pierced Jesus side as he hung on the cross

The Holy Lance, also known as the Lance of Longinus, the Spear of Destiny, or the Holy Spear, is alleged to be the lance that pierced the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross during his crucifixion. As with other instruments of the Passion, the lance is only briefly mentioned in the Christian Bible, but later became the subject of extrabiblical traditions in the medieval church. Relics purported to be the lance began to appear as early as the 6th century, originally in Jerusalem. By the Late Middle Ages, relics identified as the spearhead of the Holy Lance had been described throughout Europe. Several of these artifacts are still preserved to this day.

Holyrood may refer to:

A number of alleged relics associated with Jesus have been displayed throughout the history of Christianity. While some individuals believe in the authenticity of Jesus relics, others doubt their validity. For instance, the sixteenth-century philosopher Erasmus wrote about the proliferation of relics, and the number of buildings that could be constructed from wooden relics claimed to be from the crucifixion cross of Jesus. Similarly, at least thirty Holy Nails were venerated as relics across Europe in the early 20th century. Part of the relics are included in the so-called Arma Christi, or the Instruments of the Passion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aelred of Rievaulx</span> English saint (1110–1167)

Aelred of Rievaulx, O Cist. ; also Ailred, Ælred, and Æthelred; was an English Cistercian monk, abbot of Rievaulx from 1147 until his death, and known as a writer. He is venerated by the Catholic Church as a saint and by some Anglicans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montacute</span> Village in Somerset, England

Montacute is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, 4 miles (6.4 km) west of Yeovil. The village has a population of 831. The name Montacute is thought by some to derive from the Latin "Mons Acutus", referring to the conically acute St Michael's Hill dominating the village to the west. An alternative view is that it is named after Drogo de Montagu, whose family originated from Montaigu-les-Bois, in the arrondissement of Coutances. Robert, Count of Mortain held Montacute after 1066, and Drogo was a close associate of his.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Chalice</span> Vessel that Jesus used at the Last Supper to serve wine

The Holy Chalice, also known as the Holy Grail, is in Christian tradition the vessel that Jesus used at the Last Supper to share his blood. The Synoptic Gospels refer to Jesus sharing a cup of wine with the Apostles, saying it was the covenant in his blood. The use of wine and chalice in the Eucharist in Christian churches is based on the Last Supper event. In the late 12th century, the author Robert de Boron associated the pre-existing story of the Holy Grail, a magical item from Arthurian literature, with the Holy Chalice. This association was continued in many subsequent Arthurian works, including the Lancelot-Grail (Vulgate) cycle, the Post-Vulgate Cycle, and Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur. A cup kept in the Spanish Cathedral of Valencia has been identified since medieval times as the purported Holy Chalice used at the Last Supper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waltham Abbey</span> Human settlement in England

Waltham Abbey is a town and civil parish in the Epping Forest District of Essex, within the metropolitan and urban area of London, England, 13.5 miles (21.7 km) north-east of Charing Cross. It lies on the Greenwich Meridian, between the River Lea in the west and Epping Forest in the east, with large sections forming part of the Metropolitan Green Belt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rood</span> Crucifix

A rood or rood cross, sometimes known as a triumphal cross, is a cross or crucifix, especially the large crucifix set above the entrance to the chancel of a medieval church. Alternatively, it is a large sculpture or painting of the crucifixion of Jesus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Acca of Hexham</span> 8th-century Bishop of Hexham

Acca of Hexham was an early medieval Northumbrian prelate, serving as bishop of Hexham from 709 until 732, and subsequently commemorated as a Christian saint.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Cross Abbey</span> Church in County Tipperary, Ireland

Holy Cross Abbey(Mainistir na Croise Naofa) was a Cistercian monastery in Holycross near Thurles, County Tipperary, Ireland, situated on the River Suir. It takes its name from a relic of the True Cross or Holy Rood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanteos Cup</span> Medieval wood mazer bowl found in Wales

The Nanteos Cup is a medieval wood mazer bowl, held for many years at Nanteos Mansion, near Aberystwyth in Wales.

Tovi the Proud, fl. 1018–1043, was a rich and powerful 11th-century Danish thegn who held a number of estates in various parts of southern England. A translation of the legend of Waltham Abbey cites the Lord of Waltham as 'Tovi le Prude', "totius Angliae post regnem primus". He was staller to King Cnut the Great.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sandals of Jesus Christ</span> Among the most important relics of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages

The Sandals of Jesus Christ were among the most important relics of the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages. They were donated to Prüm Abbey by Pepin the Short who received them from Pope Stephen II (752–757).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Church of St Catherine, Montacute</span> Church in Somerset, England

The Anglican Church of St Catherine at Montacute within the English county of Somerset was first built in the 12th century. It is a Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St Margaret's Well, Edinburgh</span>

St Margaret's Well (NT271737) is a Category B listed holy well that was relocated to Holyrood Park off Queen's Drive in Edinburgh from Restalrig in 1860. It is one of seven wells located in the park.

<i>Vita Haroldi</i>

The Vita Haroldi is an anonymous Latin work, written around the year 1205, which claims to relate the life of king Harold Godwinson. It asserts that Harold was not killed at the Battle of Hastings but survived for many years, first journeying on the continent of Europe and then living as a hermit in various parts of England and Wales. It survives in only one manuscript, copied in Waltham Abbey, and it may have been composed there. Harold was certainly a patron of Waltham Abbey and was in all likelihood buried there.

References

  1. Hunter-Blair, Oswald (1910). "Holyrood Abbey. In: The Catholic Encyclopedia.". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 7. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  2. McRoberts, David. "Note 10". Saint Margaret Queen of Scotland. Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  3. Aelred of Rievaulx (1855). Migne, J P (ed.). Beati Aelredi Abbatis Rievallensis - Opera Omnia. 'Lutetia Parisorum' (i.e. Paris): J P Migne. p.  715.
  4. Forbes-Leith, William (1884). Life of St. Margaret Queen of Scotland by Turgot, Bishop of St. Andrews (translated from the Latin). W Paterson. p.  77.
  5. Ayloffe, Joseph, Calendar of Ancient Charters, (London 1774), 330
  6. "Waltham Abbey". Britannia.com. Archived from the original on 13 January 2010. Retrieved 3 December 2013.