St Edmundsbury has helped give people the rare opportunity to view a unique local relic in their home town museum after funding a special display case to showcase the piece in all its glory.
The borough council has donated funding for the specially designed cabinet to the ClareAncientHouseMuseum, where it will be used to exhibit the valued Clare Reliquary, a medieval gold cross and chain which was discovered in the town over a century ago.
The intricately decorated cross and chain was discovered in autumn 1866 when the new railway line and station was being developed at Clare Castle. A labourer called Walter Loking found it and was rewarded for his honesty with a pint of beer and, eventually, five guineas from the Treasury. Queen Victoria ‘expressed her desire to possess the cross’ after learning it may have once formed part of the collection of royal jewels. It is now owned by the Royal Collection Trust and was originally kept at Windsor Castle but it is now on long-term loan to the British Museum.
St Edmundsbury’s donation means the reliquary, or cross, will now go on display in its home own, volunteer-run museum, giving local people the rare opportunity to view the prized cross which is set with pearls and was meant to be worn as a necklace. The necklace also includes two relics which gives a glimpse as to how religion was viewed in the medieval period.
Colonel Stuart Green, chairman of the trustees of the museum said:
“We have worked for two years to bring the cross to Clare. The trustees are thrilled that the Royal Collection Trust has agreed that this important item may be exhibited in its home town of Clare. We are very grateful to the curators of the Royal Collection Trust, the British Museum and St Edmundsbury for all their help.”
The whole truth behind the cross’s background remains a mystery. It is believed the cross may have been made in around 1450, but the exact date and where it was made are still unclear. However, Clare Castle was once home to members of the royal family, including various descendents of King Edward III, and it may well once have belonged to one of them.
The exhibition will open to the public at 2pm on Thursday 3 May and will run until Sunday 30 September.
ENDS
Note to editors: Clare Ancient House Museum is open to the public from May to September, on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 2pm to 5pm. It is open on Saturdays and on bank holidays from 11.30 am to 5pm
For further local information regarding the cross, please contact Colonel Stuart Green on 01787 277102
St Edmundsbury’s Heritage Service provides specialist help to Clare Ancient House Museum to help support heritage throughout the borough
ISSUED BY: MAGGIE GOODGER, VISITOR MANAGER, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel: 01284 706183. maggie.goodger@stedsbc.gov.uk
