A missing artefact considered an ancient symbol of Scottish nationhood may have been discovered in Durham Cathedral, a new book claims.
The Black Rood, which gave its name to Holyrood in Edinburgh, disappeared from historical records in 1540. David Willem, an author and historian, has offered a theory that the long-lost treasure is an Anglo-Saxon relic known as St Cuthbert’s Cross.
He suggests that the Black Rood was found in Durham Cathedral in the 19th century and is on display in the Open Treasure exhibition with St Cuthbert’s 7th century wooden coffin.
The rood was given to Durham Cathedral after the Scots’ defeat at the Battle of Neville’s Cross in 1346
ALAMY
The gold artefact is believed to contain a fragment of the cross upon which Jesus was crucified.
“Once as famous as the Stone of Scone, the Black Rood was a gold and jewel-studded