St Catherine

On the western side of Royston Cave stands a distinctive carving of Saint Catherine, holding the infamous spiked wheel associated with her martyrdom in her right hand. She displays a cross on her dress to signify her as a saint and wears a crown. Female martyrs have been known to wear a crown to symbolise their metaphorical marriage to Christ - a life dedicated to virginity for His sake. Recent studies of the style of Catherine’s crown show that it does not resemble any other known examples of medieval crown. This crown is formed of five uprights, all joined by arches of uneven height. Above the central upright is a diamond shape or, possibly, a fleur-de-lis. Based on the style and form of Catherine’s crown, it’s been suggested that this carving is unlikely to date from before the second half of the 14th century.

But who was this saint, and why was she so venerated?

Catherine was born c. 287 AD in Alexandria, Egypt. At a young age she experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary and the Child Jesus, who placed a ring on her finger. She subsequently converted to Christianity and dedicated her life to the Church.

When the Roman Emperor Maxentius began persecuting Christians, Catherine visited him to condemn his cruelty. She argued so forcibly that, rather than order her execution, Maxentius summoned 50 of the best philosophers to debate her and promised them great rewards if they could outsmart her. Catherine spoke so eloquently in defence of her faith that, one after another, the philosophers admitted defeat and converted to Christianity.

The emperor then ordered her to be executed on a breaking wheel. The breaking wheel was an ancient form of torture in which a person's limbs were tied to the spokes of a wheel while their bones were shattered with a club. It was a brutal punishment that resulted in a slow and painful death. Catherine went to die willingly but, according to legend, the wheel shattered when she touched it. Maxentius ordered her to be beheaded instead. It is said that, instead of blood, a milk-like substance flowed from her neck. She was 18 years old.

William Stukeley (1687-1765), notable historian and antiquarian, who visited Royston Cave shortly after its discovery in 1742, attributed Catherine’s prominence in the cave to the victory obtained by the Crusaders at the Battle of Mont Gisard on the plains of Ramla. The battle occurred on St. Catherine’s feast day on 25th November 1177.

Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Crusaders were victorious against Saladin in what became one of the most notable battles of the Middle Ages. The Knights Templar attributed their unlikely success to St. Catherine and memorialised the occasion by erecting a monastery on the battlefield, dedicated in her name. Catherine subsequently gained prominence throughout the Western world and became revered by the Templars, who named several churches after her.

William de Mandeville, son of Lady Rosia and Earl of Essex, lord of the local manor of Newsells, which is not far from where Royston now stands, is said to have fought at the Battle of Mont Gisard and survived.

Stukeley also believed that the panel on the cave’s northern side, to the left of St. Christopher, was also dedicated to St. Catherine. He suggested that the large rectangular recess cut into the wall represented her prison, with Catherine seated at one end and reclined at the other; and that the bird carved above the panel depicted the holy dove which brought her food while she was imprisoned for 12 days. Many now believe this panel to instead represent the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Below this large carving is a row of figures. Some are shown with tunics, others with headwear, with hearts or crosses on their chests. Stukeley attributed these figures to be local noblemen and women, possibly related to Lady Rosia, who Stukeley claims made the cave for her private worship. Some of the figures have worn away, and are not very distinctive, but there were 12 figures in the row. With St Christopher and St Catherine shown above the row, could this maybe instead be a representation of the Fourteen Holy Helpers?

The Fourteen Holy Helpers were saints who were venerated as a collective during the 14th century when the Bubonic Plague was devasting the populations of Europe. Each saint was associated with curing different illnesses or help at times of need. The saints included St Christopher, St Giles, St Denis, St Blaise, St Elmo, St Barbara, St Vitus, St Pantaleon, St Cyriacus, St Eustace, St George, St Margaret, St Catherine and St Agathius.

Alternatively, those who believe Royston Cave to be of Pagan origin claim that the figure depicted in Royston Cave is not St. Catherine but Persephone, Queen of the Underworld. The daughter of Zeus, she was abducted by her uncle Hades, during which time the world started to die. Zeus demanded her return, but first Hades tricked Persephone to eat from a pomegranate. Hermes retrieved her from Hades but as she had tasted food from the underworld she was obliged to return for a third of each year. Each Spring she would emerge, and new life would again start to grow. Groves in her honour are always on the western extremities, where the frontier to the lower world is at their thinnest.

There can also be seen in the art of the Middle Ages representations of Fortuna, the Roman goddess of fortune and good luck. The daughter of Jupiter she is often shown holding a wheel, the Wheel of Fortune. Though other items such as the horn of plenty and the ships rudder are not visible. However, it was often the case that such drawings and symbols were changed and Christianised later.

Whoever this carving may represent, the distinctive style makes an impressive presence within the cave and is a favourite among many visitors!