Thetis Blacker Banners
Hung on the pillars on each side of St Cuthbert’s shrine are banners of St Oswald and St Cuthbert, designed by Thetis Blacker in 2001.
The banners were commissioned by Henry Dyson, who was also Blacker’s art dealer, and Alan Richards, both graduates and Fellows of Grey College at Durham.
Did you know?
- Thetis Blacker’s batik method used wax from candles offered by worshippers in their prayers to make the images.
- St Oswald is portrayed as a warrior King. Having converted to Christianity while in exile on the island of Iona, Oswald returned to Northumbria to reclaim his crown by force. He aimed to defend and promote Christianity both militarily and spiritually.
- St Cuthbert’s banner portrays him in his role as a Bishop, wearing the tall mitre hat and his pectoral cross pendant, staff in hand, standing ready to bless and engage with the community.
Interesting facts
Christian warrior king
- St Oswald is represented as a military leader, riding a fierce white horse, his sword held high. His Christianity is symbolised by the cross behind him, the bread of the Eucharist and the water of the Holy Spirit in the foreground.
- The loss and pity of war are shown by the surrounding poppies. The crow on Oswald’s shoulder is also a reference to war, a bird often seen scavenging on the battlefield and an emblem of the Norse god Odin. The dove of peace sits drinking the water below. These contradictions and complexities are central to what we know of St Oswald’s life.
Beloved by all
- St Cuthbert’s close connection with the animal world became a significant part of his legend and is an important feature of his banner.
- The banner shows him accompanied by an otter and a seal. St Cuthbert was known to go into the sea as a form of prayer. A monk who followed him once witnessed Cuthbert emerging accompanied by two friendly otters who stretched their bodies out next to him. As the monk’s account states, they warmed Cuthbert’s feet with their breath and tried to dry him with their fur.
- Cuthbert is also said on one occasion to have been fed a salmon by an eagle, represented in the banner. The fish is also a very clear symbol of Christianity.
St Aidan the Missionary
- St Oswald and St Cuthbert are connected by Aidan, an Irish monk and missionary brought from the island of Iona by St Oswald.
- Oswald met Aidan while in exile, his father, Aethelfrith, King of Northumbria, having been killed in battle in 616. Oswald converted to Christianity and returned to successfully reclaim the Northumbrian throne in 633. Oswald invited Aidan to Northumbria where he founded the Priory on Lindisfarne, becoming its first Bishop.
- St Aidan was responsible for converting the Anglo-Saxon population to Christianity. He achieved this by walking everywhere and talking to everyone he met. St Oswald famously gave him a horse to help in his travels, but Aidan immediately gave it to a beggar.
- St Aidan died in 651 and St Cuthbert, then aged 17, reported seeing Aidan’s soul rising to heaven in a vision. It was this that inspired Cuthbert to give up military training to become a monk.
Notable people
Thetis Blacker
- English opera singer turned artist Ann Thetis Blacker (1927-2006) became known for her use of the Eastern batik wax-resist fabric dyeing technique. Since the 1970s her colourful creations can be found in cathedrals all over Europe, the US, and the UK.
- Many of her banners were inspired by dreams of mythical creatures which led to her published book, A Pilgrimage of Dreams (1973). To celebrate her work Durham University made her an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) in 2002.
Follow the guided tour
You’re in: The Shrine of St Cuthbert You’re at: Thetis Blacker Banners Next stop: St Cuthbert Banner
- Leave the Shrine of St Cuthbert by the same door you entered
- Go down the steps
- Turn left and look up at the large pillar on the left
- The red banner hanging here is St Cuthbert's banner