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Photograph taken by kind permission of Clare College, Cambridge.

Butler Chalice

Object

Clare College, Cambridge

Possibly London

Christianity

1618

The Butler Chalice is the only example of this kind of object in gold from the period before the English Civil War.

What does it look like?

The chalice is quite plain in design and has a matching paten that acts as a lid when not in use. It glows because it is made of pure gold, (which means that it is quite soft and you have to be careful to set it down gently on a hard surface or it will become dented – and it is also quite heavy)! It has a slightly textured surface because the gold was hand-beaten into the shape of the chalice.

The chalice and paten have Latin inscriptions on them prescribed in William Butler’s will. On the paten is: Verba quae ego loquor vobis spiritus et vita sunt (The words that I speak to you are spirit and life). Around the rim of the chalice is: Caro mea vere est cibus, sanguis meus vere est potus (My flesh is true food, my blood is true drink). Around the foot of the Chalice is: In Christianae fidei testimonium (In testimony to the Christian faith).

Why is it call The 'Butler' Chalice

It is called the Butler Chalice because a man called William Butler left 260 pounds in weight of gold in his will and instructions for it to be used to make the chalice.

The chalice does not weigh 260 pounds but it’s not known what happened to the rest of the gold!

Who, what and where?

It was produced by an unknown goldsmith. It is called the Butler Chalice because a man called William Butler left 260 pounds in weight of gold and instructions in his will for it to be used to make the chalice and given to Clare College. The chalice does not weigh 260 pounds but it is not known what happened to the rest of the gold! William Butler was physician to James I, and a member of Clare College.

The Butler Chalice is used on special occasions in Clare College’s Chapel for Holy Communion. Chalices are still used by Christians in the celebration of Holy Communion today but normally they are only made of silver. Holy Communion (or the Eucharist or mass), is a ceremony where Christians eat bread and drink wine that has been offered to God and sanctified in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross, which Christians believe rescued the world from sin and death; the bread becomes Jesus’ body and the wine, his blood.

Are there links to current religious practices or a modern equivalent?

The Butler Chalice is used on special occasions in Clare College’s Chapel for Holy Communion. Chalices are still used in the celebration of Holy Communion today but normally they are only made of silver.

Why is it significant to the study of religion?

The Butler Chalice is the only example of this kind of object in gold that survives from the period before the English Civil War, which was fought from 1642-1651 between the Parliamentarians (Roundheads) and Royalists (Cavaliers), over issues of governance.

Any other examples that might have existed were probably melted down to fund the war. The Butler Chalice survived because it was taken away from Clare College for safekeeping (perhaps to Nottingham) by Barnabas Oley, a Fellow of the College, around 1642. He had to leave £350, (a great deal of money in those days), deposited with the College to guarantee that he would bring the chalice back.

Where is it from, where is it now?

Visitors are welcome to visit various areas of the College, although there is a charge in the summer. Visit their website for details.

Resources

Websites

The National Archives

A collection of information on the Civil War.

BBC Religion

More information on The Eucharist, which is also called the Holy Communion, Mass, the Lord’s Supper or the Divine Liturgy, which is a sacrament accepted by almost all Christians.

 

Resources

Websites

The National Archives

A collection of information on the Civil War.

BBC Religion

More information on The Eucharist, which is also called the Holy Communion, Mass, the Lord’s Supper or the Divine Liturgy, which is a sacrament accepted by almost all Christians.

 

Faculty of Divinity

West Road, Cambridge,
CB3 9BS

t: 01223 763002
e: outreach@divinity.cam.ac.uk

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