AHOW: 066 Holy Thorn Reliquary 5 Jul 2010




A History of the World in 100 Objects show

Summary: Christian reliquary from medieval Europe. Director of the British Museum, Neil MacGregor, examines an object designed to connect with Christ himself. He tells the story of this highly ornate reliquary which was made to house a thorn from the crown of thorns placed on Christ’s head at the crucifiction. Sister Benedicta Ward and the Archbishop of Leeds, the Right Rev Arthur Roche, help explain the powerful tradition of relic worship.