Hand of St James the Apostle facts for kids

The Hand of Saint James the Apostle is a very old and special item, called a relic. It's believed to be the hand of one of Jesus's closest followers, Saint James. This relic was brought to England in the 1100s by a powerful woman named Empress Matilda.

For hundreds of years, the hand was kept safe at Reading Abbey, a large religious building. But in 1539, during a time called the Dissolution of the Monasteries, monks had to hide it. They put it in an iron chest and tucked it away inside the Abbey walls to protect it.

Much later, in 1786, workers found the hand while building Reading Gaol. It was then given to the Reading Museum. In 1840, a man named J. Scott Murray bought it. He kept it in his own private chapel. When he passed away in 1882, he left the hand to St. Peter's Church in Marlow, where it still is today.

What is a Relic?

A relic is a very old object, often a part of a saint's body or something they owned. People who are religious often believe these items have special powers. They might visit them to pray or to feel closer to the saint.

Relics were very important in the Middle Ages. Many churches and abbeys collected them. People believed relics could help with healing or bring good luck.

Empress Matilda and the Hand

Empress Matilda was a very important person in the 12th century. She was the daughter of King Henry I of England. She was also married to the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry V.

Matilda brought the Hand of Saint James to England. She gave it to Reading Abbey in 1133. This showed how important the Abbey was. It also showed her strong religious faith.

The Dissolution of the Monasteries

The Dissolution of the Monasteries was a big event in England. It happened in the 1530s under King Henry VIII. The king decided to close down many monasteries and abbeys.

During this time, many religious items were taken or destroyed. To protect the Hand of Saint James, the monks at Reading Abbey hid it. They hoped to keep it safe from harm.

Journey Through Time: The Hand's History

The Hand of Saint James has a long and interesting history. It has been moved and cared for by many different people over the centuries.

Early Records

• 640: The first records of the hand show it was kept by the Bishop of Torcello in Venice. This means it was considered special even then.

Arrival in England

• 1133: Empress Matilda gave the hand to Reading Abbey. This made the Abbey a very important place for pilgrims.
• 1136: Henry of Blois, a powerful bishop, borrowed the relic for prayer. This shows how highly it was valued.
• 1155: The hand was returned to Reading Abbey.

Healing and Miracles

• 1220: People believed the hand was used in healing miracles. It was even dipped into "water of St James" for special blessings.

Hidden Away

• 1539: Monks hid the hand in an old iron chest. They put it inside the Abbey walls during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. This was to keep it safe from being taken.

Rediscovery and New Homes

• 1786: Workers found the hand while building Reading Gaol. They gave it to the private Reading Museum.
• 1840s: A man named J. Scott Murray bought the hand. He placed it in his private chapel at Danesfield House.
• 1882: When J. Scott Murray died, he left the hand to St Peter's Church in Marlow. This is where the Hand of Saint James remains today.