History Extra podcast Medieval relic hunters: the quest for Notre-Dame's crown of thorns
7 snips
Dec 13, 2024 
Emily Guerry, a medieval history tutor at Oxford, and historian David Musgrove explore the legendary Crown of Thorns, a key relic tied to Christ’s passion. They discuss its dramatic journey from Jerusalem to Paris, championed by King Louis IX in the 13th century. Their conversation reveals the challenges faced by Dominican friars during its retrieval and the profound impact of relics on medieval spirituality. They also reflect on the emotional ceremony when the crown arrived in Paris and its miraculous survival in the Notre Dame fire.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Crown of Thorns' Early History
- The Crown of Thorns wasn't a desirable relic for early Christians, surprisingly.
- The first reference to it isn't until 409-410 CE, located at Mount Zion church, not the Holy Sepulchre.
Multiple Crown of Thorns Relics
- Relics, including the Crown of Thorns, often had multiple versions.
- The Crown's form, with its many thorns, allowed for numerous fragments and 'holy thorns' to exist as relics.
Pawning the Crown
- Emperor Baldwin II pawned the Crown of Thorns to a Cistercian abbess due to financial difficulties.
- Louis IX agreed to take over the mortgage, marking a new chapter in the relic's journey.