A Late-Medieval Pectoral Cross Pilgrim Sign from the River Wear, Durham

Abstract

A cast lead alloy object, retrieved from the River Wear in Durham, has the form of a pectoral cross, with equal length flaring arms; the front face features decoration representative of Anglo-Saxon cloisonné cell work. The rear face is undecorated with a flat, plain surface. The object's style has parallels with four 7th-century cross pendants from the early Christian period found in England, all displaying cloisonné inlays for garnets. The closest parallel is with the 7th century St Cuthbert pectoral cross with its simple square-cut garnet inlays. The object, which may have been manufactured locally, was cast in an open clay mould. The percentages of lead and tin in the alloy suggest eutectic quality pewter: producing a bright silvery surface when originally cast. The depicted iconography and the location of the find close to Durham Cathedral suggests that the object is a pilgrim sign, a souvenir linked to the shrine of St Cuthbert. The object was most probably manufactured in the late 14th to early 15th century with the intention of being sold by a vendor or pedlar from a booth or stall positioned on Elvet Bridge to pilgrims visiting St Cuthbert's shrine. This is the first example ever reported of a pilgrim sign in this form dedicated to the shrine of St Cuthbert.