The Medieval Irish Bell-Shrine of St. Mura
Speaker: Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
A Relic to Heal the Sick
This video examines the Irish medieval Bell-Shrine of St. Mura, a relic and reliquary primarily made of bronze with silver additions and rock crystal. This object gives us insight into early Christianity, faith, and community in the early Middle Ages in Ireland—and it also has connections to Saint Patrick and the Urnes style of the Norse!
The Bell Shrine of St Mura, 11th–16th centuries, bronze, brass, silver, parcel-gilt, rock crystal, and amber, 15.5 cm x 8.7 cm x 6.7 cm. The Wallace Collection, London. Photo: © Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
Video chapters
0:00 Looking at a medieval bell shrine
0:43 Handbells and their precious cases in early Christianity in Ireland
1:17 Bells as associative relics
2:02 Saint Mura
2:31 Rock crystal
3:02 Decoration: interlace, filigree, openwork, and the Urnes Style
4:15 Protecting precious relics
Learn more
Discover more of our resources about the global Middle Ages.
Find more materials about Europe in the Middle Ages.
Learn more about the art of the European Northern Seas.
Check out our entire glossary of art history.
