The Jerusalem Cross

Count Eustace, showing off the special French skill of riding a horse backwards
(Click image to enlarge)
The four tiny black blobs in the banner really are small crosses. We hope to get a better close-up photo of the banner soon.

The earliest depiction we've seen of anything like the Jerusalem Cross is on the Bayeux Tapestry, the cartoon version of the Norman invasion of England in 1066. The tapestry itself (an embroidery rather than a real tapestry) was probably completed in the 1070s, so we can be reasonably confident of the accuracy of many details.

One such detail is the banner carried by Count Eustace. This banner could have been the one given to him by Pope Alexander II to show the Church's support for the invasion of England.

This banner is interesting on two counts:

• Firstly, it appeared long before European heraldry became trendy in Europe. (A sort of coat-of-arms existed thousands of years ago in Egypt, but in Europe, Henry I is credited as being the first emblazoner of arms in 1127.)
• Secondly, Eustace had three sons. The first was also confusingly called Eustace, the next Godfrey, and finally Baldwin. Both Godfrey and Baldwin later became monarchs of Jerusalem. Godfrey was also Duke of Lower-Lorraine and his coat of arm included the Jerusalem Cross.

Tau:
Old Testament


Greek:
New Testament

The Jerusalem Cross represents Christ's command to spread the Gospel around the world; a mission that started in Jerusalem. It is a busy collection of five crosses and the most common interpretations are:

• A combination of the Old Testament teachings (the four Tau Crosses) and the New Testament teachings (the four Greek Crosses)

• The four evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, with Christ in the centre. (See Evangelists' Cross)

• Christianity (central cross) broadcast by missionaries to the four corners of the world

• Five crosses representing the five wounds of Jesus on the cross; small crosses for the hands and feet pierced by the nails, and the large central cross for the spear wound in His side. See also the five pierce marks of the Lozengy Cross. The crucifixion scene is played out annually in the Old City of Jerusalem. (See Stations of the Cross)

• And finally, as called by some Christians in Jerusalem, a Pilgrim's Cross; the large central cross representing the pilgrim, and the smaller crosses representing those who support and pray for the pilgrim during her or his pilgrimage. (See Wayside Cross, also sometimes referred to as 'Pilgrim Cross'.)

The cross is also sometimes referred to as the New Jerusalem Cross, focusing attention on the Divine and heavenly restoration of Jerusalem. The term 'New Jerusalem' occurs twice in the Bible¹ and is understood by the majority of Christians to mean heaven.

Cantonee Cross

Flag of Georgia

With a plain central cross, it is referred to as a Cross Cantonee, canton being a division. This cross is often seen on old European coins and represents Christ and the Four Evangelists. This design is similar to the 14th century flag of the Republic of Georgia, the difference being that its four small crosses (bolnur-katskhuri) are slightly pattee.

St. Julian's


Crosslet

Teutonic


St. Chad's

The Jerusalem Cross is sometimes confused with the Teutonic Cross (also called 'Cross Potent'), assigned by Pope Innocent III to the Teutonic Knights near the end of the 12th century. It can also be confused with the St. Julian's Cross, the St. Chad's Cross and the Cross Crosslet which are used more in heraldic coats of arms rather than as Christian symbols.

The modern crusader's cross

The Jerusalem Cross is often called the Crusader's Cross because it was on the papal banner given to the crusaders by Pope Urban II in the Middle Ages. (See also Maltese Cross used by the Hostpitallers.)

Not all these crusading knights were God-fearing Christians - for many it was just a job that would ensure they received rich payment back home. Just as the crusades of today, they were almost as much about economic gain as spreading the Gospel.

As we've seen time and again through history, when the destructive instinct is awakened within those who wield power, an absurd and tragic war inevitably follows. It has nothing to do with the label attached to that power; Christianity, Islam, Globalisation, Communism... It has everything to do with the inherent selfishness and greed of humans in power.

Please be careful who you vote for.