Edmund of Canterbury
The Kunera database has a badge with an unidentified bishop. The text below is corrupted to such an extent that it is no longer legible. Still, the badge gives some indications about the identity of the depicted saint. He may be Edmund of Canterbury or Edme as he is known in France where is venerated.
Edmund of Canterbury travelled to Pontigny in France after he came into conflict with the English king and the monks of Canterbury. He was buried at Pontigny and his grave drew many pilgrims. There Edmund of Canterbury became known as Edmund of Pontigny, or St Edme as he is called in French.
The unidentified badge (Kunera no. 00388) combines three elements pointing to Edmund of Canterbury. The first is the bishop’s clothing and his attributes. The crosier – the curved top has broken off – points to Edmund’s position as bishop of Canterbury, the book to his background as a scholar. This saint studied on Oxford where he became professor before his appointment as bishop. Therefore, Edmund of Pontigny often carries a book in his hands.
The second and more convincing element is the infant in swaddling bands at his feet. The child undoubtedly points to the expertise of the saint who could restore life to still born and to young children who had died. For that reason, Edmund is in Burgundy usually depicted with a child in swaddling clothes. Finally the badge depicts a woman carrying an infant in her arms. Surely, this woman represents the thousands of parents traveling to Pontigny each year hoping that St Edmund would also resuscitate their dead child.
Despite the visual evidence the identification remains a hypothesis. Only the find of a comparable badge with a legible and uncorrupted text can give a decisive answer about the identity of the depicted saint. Until then, Edmund of Pontigny remains an eligible candidate.
Image: Collection Van Beuningen family, 2276 (Kunera no. 00388)