The Monymusk Reliquary is an important eighth century religious artifact that was owned by the Forbes of Monymusk family in the mid-sixteenth century and is now on display at the National Museums of Scotland.
The reliquary is believed to have been created around 750 CE by monks of the Celtic Church, possibly from Iona Abbey, an important center of early Christianity in Scotland. The reliquary is said to have housed relics of Saint Columba, a revered figure in Scottish history, who played a significant role in spreading Christianity in the region. Over the centuries, it has been associated with several significant events in Scottish history, including the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, where it was carried as a talisman.
The artifact is made of wood and covered with covered with sheets of bronze, decorated with silver and niello. The embellishments feature intricate animal interlace patterns, which are characteristic of the Insular art style, combining influences from Gaelic, Pictish, and Anglo-Saxon traditions. The use of cloisonné, a technique involving setting gemstones or enamel in metal compartments, adds to its ornate appearance.
One of two enameled hinge plates survive that would have attached a strap so that the Reliquary could be carried, possibly around the neck. Portable reliquaries were carried into battle by the Scottish army, since the relics they contained were believed to bring good fortune. This reliquary is thought to be the famous “Brechbennoch” or “Breacbennach” (modern Gaelic for Breac Bannoch or "embossed peaked-thing"), which was borne before the army of Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. This was likely borne by its hereditary keeper, Sir John de Monymusk, who was killed there. It was brought to public attention again 600 years later, when it emerged from the Library at Monymusk House. How it arrived there, or whether it had always been kept at Monymusk, is not known.
Some controversy has surrounded the Monymusk Reliquary as to whether it is indeed the Brechbennoch, which was first documented in 1211. William I gave the Brechbennoch to the monks of Arbroath Abbey, along with a grant of the land of Forglen in Banffshire. “When the abbey’s tenants of Forglen were called upon to do their military service in the king’s host, they were to bring the Breccbennach with them.” (Caldwell, David H. 2001. “The Monymusk Reliquary: the Breccbennach of St Columba?” Proceedings of the Societies of Antiquities of Scotland, Volume 131.)
While the Brechbennach was likely carried into battle several times, its presence in battle is never directly cited in any contemporary historical source. “Its supposed role in the battle of Bannockburn depends on the assumption that Bernard, Abbot of Arbroath, was personally responsible for carrying it.” (Ibid.) This is the reason that the Reliquary in portrayed in the modern day Clydesdale Bank twenty-pound note that features Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn.
The Reliquary was likely held by the Urry (or Hurrie) family until 1597 when it was sold along with Pitfichie Caste and estate to John Cheyne of Fortrie. Sir John Forbes of Monymusk, 3rd Baronet (1640 – 1700), received a Crown Charter of Pitfichie in 1661 and gave the estate to his eldest son of his second marriage, John Forbes (1680 – 1716).
His eldest stepbrother, Sir William Forbes of Monymusk, 4th Baronet, was the last recorded resident of Pitfichie Castle. He became bankrupt in 1712 and he sold the Monymusk estate to Sir Francis Grant, Lord Cullen, 1st Baronet, in 1713. (Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/pitfichie-castle)
The Monymusk Reliquary was purchased by the National Museum of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1933, whose collections now belong to the National Museums Scotland. “At the time it was bought by the Museum the Master of Sempill, a descendant of the Forbes of Monymusk, believed that it had been sold with Monymusk to the Grants by his ancestors in the early 18th century.” (Ibid.)
The Museums consider the artifact is “arguably the most important piece of early Christian metalwork to survive in Scotland.”
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