The Holy Relics of Saint Cuthbert

[Pontifex Maximus]

THE RELICS OF SAINT CUTHBERT

The relics of St. Cuthbert have been a focus for prayer and veneration by Christians for centuries. They include his coffin and his pectoral cross, portable altar and comb which were placed in his coffin when he was buried. Later, precious silk textiles were also placed in his coffin. The late 7th-century wooden coffin has been carefully preserved by the religious communities of Lindisfarne, Chester-le-Street and Durham. Textiles include the stole and maniple offered in honor of St Cuthbert by King Athelstan in 934 when the shrine was at Chester-le-Street.

The holy relics of the Saint will be newly displayed for the faithful, having taken many from Lindisfarne and surrounding parishes. The Bishop of Durham intends for this holy display to be open to the public of England, as befits a Saint associated with all the Englishmen of the Realm. The Bishop's leal garrison will stand guard beside the relics and the holy Black Brothers of various abbies in Yorkshire will stand to administer the alms donated by said pilgrims. From time to time, the Bishop of Durham himself would appear in order to address the crowds of pilgrims or else offer guidance and education to them.

The Bishop delivered several homilies over the sacred bones and relics. "Saint Cuthbert and his relics harkens back to a simpler day, where faith by demonstration abounded and proved by badge of courage conditions necessary to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. The same salvation is itself now, in this day, available to diligent pilgrims who would by means of adoration and self sacrifice draw the attention of the Lord our God, and the Holy Spirit, to his sacrifice. I shall be available, as always, for the holy sacrament of reconciliation within the Cathedral. Do not forsake this unique opportunity not only to absolve thyself of sins, but to stand within the presence of these holy relics and gird thy spirit against the snares of the devil."

ooc: intention is to gain incomes from pilgrimage, will happily engage in further RP as designated necessary

[Gandalfus]

The Bishop is fortunate, as the relics prove to be particularly popular. From the nearby boroughs villagers flock to witness the relics of Saint Cuthbert, bringing with them donations to hand over to Durham in return for a blessing before the relics. It brings in a handsome wave of income - £150, to be exact, in the form of donations.

However, the Bishop's activities did not go unnoticed by those who are not so easily "deceived" as they would say. A group of particularly rowdy scholars; former students from Oxford and Cambridge, disillusioned priests and the like, appear in the local townships that Durham is showcasing these relics, and begin preaching the tenets of Lollardy advocated by Wycliffe. In particular they target Durham and the relics, denouncing the veneration of them as ineffectual concerning the spirit and, at worse, base idolatry. Durham himself is lambasted as a quintessential example of the negative state of the church, holding both temporal power as Lord Chancellor and Palatine Count as well as his spiritual role as Bishop of Durham. This group would be easily dispersed, should Durham so desire, but they are attracting a fairly sizeable group of listeners, some whom actually are beginning to be swayed by their arguments. As their preaching increases, Durham will have to decide how to approach this problem, as Lollardy has been the root of many a peasant uprising in the past.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Bishop of Durham appeared early one Sunday morning. He had prepared himself by fasting and celebrating the sacraments in the night beforehand and was accompanied by ten of his household retainers while he preached among the heretics (in his mind). "Some among the faithful will claim that veneration of the holy sacraments does not bring with it any tangible spiritual benefits." Walter began. "These so called scholars, unordained men who would dare to lecture the ordained as to the sanctity of their teachings, would have you believe that the opening of such adoration of the sacred relics is sinful and idolatrous!"

The Bishop allowed himself a few moment to stop laughing. "These same would even accuse me of being tainted, merely another example of a man of the cloth corrupted by the secular world." The Bishop gave a signal, and his servants began to toss coins into the crowd, 500 pounds all said. "I give this donation to the people of Durham, its citizens and beggars, to do with it as they will, with the hope it will not be spent frivolously or sinfully. I fully anticipate that not eveyr one of the faithful might spend the coin in such a way that I might approve: but to these I implore them to consider the fact that our Lord Almighty will look more favorably upon those who never end up contributing to vice within the city though they may prepare so, I invite all my brothers and sisters to join me in the cathedral for prayer and adoration, among the relics of the saints."

[Gandalfus]

The Lollards were incensed by what they viewed as a blatant display of corruption on behalf of Skirlaw. However, the locals were ecstatic, throngs of them moving to join the Bishop in the Cathedral among the relics, leaving the radical preachers behind with only handfuls of devoted followers. A few angry curses were shouted in Skirlaw's direction, and for a moment it looked as if there would be violence, but the apparent threat of the Bishop's guards made them think twice. Instead, they limited themselves to the continuation of their preaching, watching warily for when the Bishop would resurface.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Skirlaw contented himself with the love of the masses, if not the tacit support of such Lollards as there might be. The Bishop took special effort as not to reduce or condemn them. His gifts to the masses might be enough to temper any effect they might have for some time. They would be ripe for the plucking later on. "Invite them to private audiences." the Bishop ordered of his retainers. "I would hear what they have to say."

[Gandalfus]

The Lollards acquiesced, the foremost among them stepping forth to meet the Bishop. Two of them seemed quite young, eyes full of energy and righteous fire against some perceived evil. The other was a greybeard, past fifty, clad in simple brown robes. He gazed at the Bishop dispassionately, as if he were some dog's turd that had found itself on the bottom of his boot.

"Skirlaw." He simply stated, arms folded, words silencing the two younger ones who seemed ready to launch upon a tirade against Durham. "You know our grievances with you, and the Church. Why invite us to speak with you if you know what we are going to say?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

"What better way to count you?" He replied. "and gain a sense of who you are." The Bishop stared out his window into the bustling streets below. "Your beliefs are known to me, indeed I have heard grumblings about these relics on show. I consider them to be most unorthodox."

[Gandalfus]

The leader gave a shrug, indicating nothing but indifference, and then gave a gap-toothed grin. "So? The Church needs reform. And we are not afraid to state the extent to which it has decayed, due to the malicious decadence of the landed clergy."

[Pontifex Maximus]

"Is that so?" Durham said, narrowing his eyes. "Guards, seize this heretic, and seize any within the city who share his beliefs. I am afraid that his words make me very uncomfortable, this unorthodoxy cannot be allowed to spread within my lands. They shall await trial for heresy. Send word to the Archbishop of York that I have encountered suspected heretics within my lands. "

[Gandalfus]

While he didn't resist, the preacher gave a course laugh. The two younger ones with him struggled slightly, but a long look from their leader persuaded them to give in.

"I have not broken any laws of this land, nor do I spread any heresy. There is no statute that forbids my teachings, and therefore this is ample proof of the corruption present within men such as yourself, Bishop."