Bute mazer
Encyclopedia
The Bute Mazer, also known as the Bannatyne Mazer is a medieval communal feasting cup of a type known as a mazer
. Dating to around 1320, it is the oldest Scottish
mazer still surviving. The cup has long been associated with the Isle of Bute
, on the west coast of Scotland. Its alternative name derives from Ninian Bannatyne, Laird of Kames, who owned the cup in the 16th century and had his name engraved on the rim. The mazer is now in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland
in Edinburgh
.
(reigned 1306–1329) at Rothesay Castle
on Bute. Rothesay at this time was the seat of Walter Stewart
, 6th High Steward of Scotland
(1293–1326). The six coats of arms on the mazer represent six leading Scottish noble families, including that of Walter Stewart, and the cup could have been a gift to the king from any of them. Three of the coats of arms on the cup represent signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath
, a statement of Scottish independence written in 1320.
, while the foot is silver. Silver and silver-gilt hinged straps and a rim were added in the 16th century, when the cup was owned by the Bannatynes. This work may have been carried out by Peter Lymeburner, a goldsmith in Glasgow
. In the bottom of the bowl is a metal boss, decorated with a recumbent and grinning lion in high relief, who looks up at the viewer, and is surrounded by six coats of arms. The lion is thought by some to represent Robert the Bruce, while the six shields represent six of his supporters (in clockwise order starting at 6 o'clock):
It has been observed that Douglas is at the lion's right hand, to represent Sir James Douglas' position as Bruce's principal commander, while Stewart is between the lion's paws, since Walter Stewart was married to the King's daughter Marjorie
. Their son inherited the throne as King Robert II
in 1371, the first monarch of the House of Stewart.
Mazer (drinking vessel)
In the Germanic tradition, a mazer is a special type of drinking vessel, properly made of maple wood, and so-called from the spotted or birdseye marking on the wood In the Germanic tradition, a mazer is a special type of drinking vessel, properly made of maple wood, and so-called from the spotted...
. Dating to around 1320, it is the oldest Scottish
Kingdom of Scotland
The Kingdom of Scotland was a Sovereign state in North-West Europe that existed from 843 until 1707. It occupied the northern third of the island of Great Britain and shared a land border to the south with the Kingdom of England...
mazer still surviving. The cup has long been associated with the Isle of Bute
Isle of Bute
Bute is an island in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland. Formerly part of the county of Buteshire, it now constitutes part of the council area of Argyll and Bute. Its resident population was 7,228 in April 2001.-Geography:...
, on the west coast of Scotland. Its alternative name derives from Ninian Bannatyne, Laird of Kames, who owned the cup in the 16th century and had his name engraved on the rim. The mazer is now in the collection of the National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the Royal Museum next door, with collections covering science and technology, natural history, and world...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
.
History
The Bute Mazer may have been used by King Robert the BruceRobert I of Scotland
Robert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
(reigned 1306–1329) at Rothesay Castle
Rothesay Castle
Rothesay Castle is a ruined castle in Rothesay, the principal town on the Isle of Bute, in western Scotland. Located at , the castle has been described as "one of the most remarkable in Scotland", for its long history dating back to the beginning of the 13th century, and its unusual circular...
on Bute. Rothesay at this time was the seat of Walter Stewart
Walter Stewart, 6th High Steward of Scotland
Walter Stewart was the 6th hereditary High Steward of Scotland. He was also the father of King Robert II of Scotland.-Biography:...
, 6th High Steward of Scotland
High Steward of Scotland
The title of High Steward or Great Steward was given in the 12th century to Walter Fitzalan, whose descendants became the House of Stewart. In 1371, the last High Steward inherited the throne, and thereafter the title of High Steward of Scotland has been held as a subsidiary title to that of Duke...
(1293–1326). The six coats of arms on the mazer represent six leading Scottish noble families, including that of Walter Stewart, and the cup could have been a gift to the king from any of them. Three of the coats of arms on the cup represent signatories of the Declaration of Arbroath
Declaration of Arbroath
The Declaration of Arbroath is a declaration of Scottish independence, made in 1320. It is in the form of a letter submitted to Pope John XXII, dated 6 April 1320, intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state and defending Scotland's right to use military action when...
, a statement of Scottish independence written in 1320.
Description
The bowl of the cup is made of maplewoodMaplewood
Maplewood may refer to:Cities, towns, etc.* Maplewood, Indiana* Maplewood, Minnesota* Maplewood, Missouri* Maplewood, New Jersey* Maplewood, Ohio* Maplewood, Portland, Oregon, a neighborhood* Maplewood, Houston, Texas, a neighborhood...
, while the foot is silver. Silver and silver-gilt hinged straps and a rim were added in the 16th century, when the cup was owned by the Bannatynes. This work may have been carried out by Peter Lymeburner, a goldsmith in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. In the bottom of the bowl is a metal boss, decorated with a recumbent and grinning lion in high relief, who looks up at the viewer, and is surrounded by six coats of arms. The lion is thought by some to represent Robert the Bruce, while the six shields represent six of his supporters (in clockwise order starting at 6 o'clock):
- House of Stewart, as represented by Walter, the High Steward
- DouglasClan DouglasClan Douglas is an ancient Scottish kindred from the Scottish Lowlands taking its name from Douglas, South Lanarkshire, and thence spreading through the Scottish Borderland, Angus, Lothian and beyond. The clan does not currently have a chief, therefore it is considered an armigerous clan.The...
, as represented by Bruce's companion, Sir James DouglasJames Douglas, Lord of DouglasSir James Douglas , , was a Scottish soldier and knight who fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence.-Early life:...
(1286–1330) - Walter FitzGilbertWalter fitz Gilbert of CadzowSir Walter fitz Gilbert of Cadzow, 1st Laird of Cadzow was a Scottish nobleman. The son of Gilbert fitz William of Hameldone, and an unknown wife, possibly Isabelle Randolph...
(died c.1346), ancestor of the Dukes of HamiltonDukes of HamiltonThe Dukes of Hamilton were a junior ice hockey team that represented Hamilton, Ontario in the Ontario Hockey League for two seasons from 1989 to 1991.-History:... - John FitzGilbert, BaillieBaillieA baillie or bailie is a civic officer in the local government of Scotland. The position arose in the burghs, where baillies formerly held a post similar to that of an alderman or magistrate...
of Bute and possibly brother of Walter - Crawford of LoudounClan CrawfordClan Crawford is a Scottish clan recognised by the Court of the Lord Lyon, which is the heraldic authority of Scotland. The clan does not a have a chief recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, is considered an armigerous clan. Clan Crawford is considered armigerous because Crawfords are...
- MenteithEarl of MenteithThe Mormaer or Earl of Menteith was originally the ruler of the province of Menteith in the Middle Ages. The first mormaer is usually regarded as Gille Críst, simply because he is the earliest on record. The title was held in a continuous line from Gille Crist until Muireadhach IV , although the...
, a branch of the Stewart family
It has been observed that Douglas is at the lion's right hand, to represent Sir James Douglas' position as Bruce's principal commander, while Stewart is between the lion's paws, since Walter Stewart was married to the King's daughter Marjorie
Marjorie Bruce
Marjorie Bruce or Marjorie de Brus was the eldest daughter of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots by his first wife, Isabella of Mar, and the founder of the Stewart dynasty. Her marriage to Walter, High Steward of Scotland gave rise to the House of Stewart...
. Their son inherited the throne as King Robert II
Robert II of Scotland
Robert II became King of Scots in 1371 as the first monarch of the House of Stewart. He was the son of Walter Stewart, hereditary High Steward of Scotland and of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and of his first wife Isabella of Mar...
in 1371, the first monarch of the House of Stewart.