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The Treasures of St Cuthbert are some of the most significant surviving Anglo-Saxon artefacts in the UK.

An outstanding collection

The Treasures of St Cuthbert have been a focus for prayer and veneration by Christians for centuries. They include:

  • St Cuthbert's original 7th century wooden coffin
  • His gold and garnet pectoral cross
  • The portable altar and ivory comb placed in his coffin when he was buried
  • Embroidered Anglo-Saxon vestments gifted to his Shrine

Who was St Cuthbert?

St Cuthbert is the North of England's best-loved saint. His community fled Lindisfarne following the Viking invasion in 793. They travelled around the North of England with his body and extraordinary relics for years. They finally settled in Durham in 995.

How has the coffin survived?

The late 7th-century wooden coffin has been carefully preserved by the religious communities of Lindisfarne, Chester-le-Street and Durham.

Where are the textiles from?

Textiles include the stole and maniple offered in honour of St Cuthbert by King Athelstan in 934 when the shrine was at Chester-le-Street.

Take a look online

More information about St Cuthbert’s relics can be found in our online catalogue ADLIB

 

A stunning setting

The treasures are displayed in the 14th century Great Kitchen, one of only two surviving medieval monastic kitchens of this type in England.

It is octagonal with a high rib-vaulting ceiling, its huge scale reflecting the size of the community living in the Cathedral when it was built. The space was used as a kitchen until the mid-1940s.

See the Treasures of St Cuthbert for yourself

The treasures form part of our Open Treasure exhibition, along with the 12th century Sanctuary Knocker, temporary exhibitions and the story of Christianity in the North East of England in the Monks' Dormitory.

Find out more about Open Treasure