[MR] BBC: Bones of St. Magnus

[Garth Groff and Sally Sanford]

Noble Friends, Especially Vikings and Fellow Scots,

Today the BBC is offering a feature on the bones of St. Magnus. Earl Magnus
was a Christianized Viking, and ruler of Orkney. He was murdered on the
orders of his cousin Hakkon during an inter-family struggle for power. His
bones were later transferred to St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwallk, Orkney,
which became an important pilgrim destination. During the reformation, the
remains were hidden within a pillar before the shrine was destroyed. The
were rediscovered in 1919, and after study, were returned to their niche.

The story claims St. Magnus Cathedral (now just a plain church in the Kirk
of Scotland--the Presbyterian kirk does not have bishops) is the only
church in Scotland to still have the bones of a saint. Probably not true.
Glasgow's former cathedral (now also a plain church in the Kirk) probably
has the remains of St. Kentigern, aka St. Mungo). Although his shrine was
destroyed circa 1560, the tomb under it was left intact, and may still hold
the remains of Glasgow's patron saint.

St. Magnus Cathedral also has the bones of Magnus' son Rögnvald, who is
counted as a saint.

The whole story, including a photo of St. Magnus' cloven skull is at
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-47748135 .

More about St. Magnus Cathedral is found at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Magnus_Cathedral .

The story of St. Magnus and his martyrdom is at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnus_Erlendsson,_Earl_of_Orkney .

Yours Aye,

Mungo Napier, Laird of Mallard Lodge  🦆