Armour of 17th century stolen from church

Thieves are believed to have taken the helmet and gauntlets from the Church of St Aidan in Bamburgh, Northumberland, between midnight on April 26 and 4.55pm on Saturday, Northumbria Police said.

It is thought they climbed up stone carvings behind the altar of the 800-year-old church to steal the items, damaging the stonework in the process.

A police spokeswoman said: “They made off with a 17th-century lobster pot-style armoured helmet, similar to a Civil War Roundhead-style and a pair of ancient metal gauntlets or armoured gloves.

“These items have hung in the church for over 400 years and inquiries are under way to trace them and return them to their rightful place.”

Worship has been held on the site of the present church since AD635, when St Aidan was called to Bamburgh from Iona by King Oswald to establish Christianity in his newly united kingdom of Northumbria, the church’s website says.

The site of St Aidan’s death is marked by a simple shrine within the present church, and the current church building dates from the end of the 12th century.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the theft or anyone who knows of the items’ whereabouts to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.