A reliquary (also referred to as a shrine or by the French term châsse) is a container for relics. These may be the purported or actual physical remains of saints, such as bones, pieces of clothing, or some object associated with saints or other religious figures
It was some years ago now when I first saw reliquaries, in the Topkapi museum in Istanbul.
I guess I had heard of them before, but until I saw them in person I didn't really have a frame of reference as to how unique they are. The bodies of saints encased in gold, encrusted in gems and believed to have magical properties?
Awesome!
This sounds like something straight out of a fantasy novel.
I mean, look at this one.
It's basically a magic wand. You could imagine a miter-wearing, cassocked bishop wielding this against the hordes of the undead (the irony of his chosen weapon lost on him) and firing bolts of holy lightning from its fingertips.
Wars have been fought over these things.
Crusaders brought back hundreds of relics from Jerusalem in those wars which in turn became the center of tourist industries. These relics attracted pilgrims from all over Europe, who of course brought their purses with them.
Such was the power of these reliquaries to bring prosperity to the orders that held them, and their surrounding areas, that it was not unknown for monks to actually steal relics from one church and bring it back to their own.
Ioth, City of Lights is out on June 20th. You can preorder the ebook now or pick up the paperback on release day.
Before I go, one last picture.
The scariest reliquary I have ever seen.
Ioth, City of Lights
The epic Wildfire Cycle continues in Ioth, City of Lights. Will the heroes of Kingshold be able to survive fire belching ships, strange slimes, sinister doppelgängers, demon dogs, greedy merchants and past vices to lead Edland to safety?
Buy on Amazon View BookTales of Kingshold
If you loved Kingshold, discover the next installment in the epic Wildfire Cycle.
I am Mareth and I collect tales – tales that do not make the official histories. Join me and learn the secret stories of those who sparked the wildfire. Stories from our past, from that fateful summer and its aftermath.
Tales of Kingshold, Book 1.5 of the Wildfire Cycle, includes four novelettes and six short stories.
View BookKingshold
The king is dead, and the monarchy dissolved by the ancient wizard Jyuth. In one month, a new lord protector is to be chosen by the rich and powerful of Edland. Chance brings together Mareth, a washed up bard, Neenahwi, the daughter of Jyuth, and Alana, a servant girl. Can they navigate assassins, monsters, pirates, demons, and the greed of a few, to help elect a protector for the good of all? Twenty-eight days of epic fantasy adventure.
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