Can any of your correspondents give me any information on the following
points connected with "the Black Rood of Scotland?"
1. What was the history of this cross before it was taken into Scotland
by St. Margaret, on the occasion of her marriage with Malcolm, king of
Scotland? Did she get it in England or in Germany?
2. What was its size and make? One account describes it as made of gold,
and another (_Rites of Durham_, p. 16.) as of silver.
3. Was the "Black Rood of Scotland" the same as the "Holy Cross of
Holyrood House?" One account seems to make them the same: for in the
_Rites of Durham_, p. 16., we read,--
"At the east end of the south aisle of the choir, was a most
fair rood, or picture of our Saviour, _in silver_, called the
_Black Rood of Scotland_, brought out of Holyrood House by King
David Bruce, and was won at the battle of Durham, with the
picture of our Lady on the one side, and St. John on the other
side, very richly wrought in silver, all three having crowns of
gold," &c. &c.
Another account, in p. 21 of the same work, seems to make them
different; for, speaking of the battle of Neville's Cross (18th October,
1346), it says--
"In which said battle a _holy Cross_, which was taken out of
Holyrood House, in Scotland, by King David Bruce, was won and
taken," &c., p. 21.