by Percy E. Corbett - friendsofsabbath.org

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The tradition that Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain has been noted. With him, according to
the legend, he brought the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper and, in some versions of the
story, the spear that pierced his side. In Mallory's version the Grail seems to be not a drinking
cup but a platter or dish from which Christ ate the Paschal Iamb the night before the
Crucifixion. . . . Even if this most sacred object had been brought to Britain, or was thought to
have been conveyed there, why should it feature in the story of Arthur and why should .
traditions of a military commander be so bound up with the tradition of a miracle working relic ?
The reason is not hard to find. He bore Christian emblems as his ensign. He was not merely
a military leader but an avowedly Christian one, of the Christian faith being one of the tools
with which he bound Britain into unity, and with which he opposed the forces of local loyalties,
local apathies and local ambitions. Moreover, his way of life, his possessions, and his forms of
worship would have been governed by the circumstances of his position as Duke of Britain.
And there are good reasons presuming it likely that a Duke of Britain would have possessed
and guarded such a supremely sacred relic."
In Chapter XIII, Saklatvala quotes a record by William of Malmesbury (the monk who wrote his
'Chronicle of the Kings of England' during the first half of the twelfth century) as follows:-
"It is of Arthur that the Britons fondly tell so many fables, even to the present day; a man
worthy to be celebrated, not by idle fiction, but by authentic history. He long upheld the sinking
state, and roused the broken spirit of his countrymen to war.
Finally, at the siege of Mount Badon, relying on an image of the Virgin, which he had affixed to
his armour, he engaged nine hundred of the enemy, single handed, and dispersed them with
incredible slaughter."
Although I have pointed out omissions in Bede's 'Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation,' I
feel that I should emphasise his valuable record of the miracles of St. Cuthbert (late 7 th
century). Bede devotes sixty-two pages to 'The Life and Miracles of St. Cuthbert, which
indicates the importance he gives to this record.
Cuthbert lived and taught at the monastery at Lindisfarne. According to Bede, his miracles
included:-
The cure of a swelling on his knee by an angel.
Changing the direction of winds by prayer.
Seeing the soul of Bishop Arden carried to heaven by angels.
Being supplied with food by God.
When praying by the sea, two otters approached him, breathed upon his feet, wiped them with
their hair and received his blessing.
Putting out a fire by prayer.
Keeping birds off a field of barley by talking to them.
Changing water to the flavour of wine.
Casting out devils and carrying out many healing cures.
These records of miracles happening in Britain during the seventh century through the power
of Christian faith are not well known and one wonders why the church does not make better
use of this evidence of our Christian heritage.