 | The gold ring, with a large uncut sapphire, was left at St Cuthbert’s tomb in Durham Cathedral. At the time of the Reformation, the ring was spirited away for safe-keeping. It may have been taken from St Cuthbert’s finger in his tomb. |  St Cuthbert's coffin was made in 698. |
 | Cuthbert is a saint of the early Northumbrian church in the Celtic tradition. He was a monk, bishop and hermit. When the monks fled to escape Viking raids, they took their treasures with them, including his body and his possessions. In 995 they settled in Durham where his shrine became a pilgrimage site. He became one of the most important medieval saints of Northern England.  |  |
