The Monymusk Reliquary was once believed to have contained relics of St. Columba, the most popular saint in medieval Scotland, since from the 19th century it was believed to be the "Brecbennoch of St. Columba", a sacred battle ensign of the Scottish army, though this is now doubted by scholars.The Monymusk Reliquary at the National Museum of Scotland The Brecbennoch may have been handed to the abbot of Arbroath Abbey during the reign of William I (r. 1165 - 1214), who in turn passed it to someone else's care at Forglen. The custodian was charged with the care of the reliquary, so that it could be used for saintly assistance by the Scots in battle. It was carried by the Scottish army who were victorious against the army of King Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314).
