Illustrated Dictionary of British Churches - Reliquary Definition

History and Architecture

Reliquary

A container used to hold holy relics, usually of a saint. Generally only large churches, cathedrals, and monasteries would have such relics, and they would usually become popular pilgrimage destinations for people coming to pray to the saint in question. A reliquary could be practically any type of container, but were frequently ornately decorated chests of boxes, like the one on disply at St David's Cathedral in Wales. Many reliquaries were destroyed during the Reformation, and few that survived are on public display because they are so valuable.




National Trust

National Trust membership

National Trust membership

Free entry to National Trust properties throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, plus discounted admission to National Trust for Scotland properties.

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HISTORY CORNER
Name the mystery historic attraction
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This political and religious manifesto of 1638 was signed by those opposed to Charles I's religious policy in Scotland



19 March, 1284

Statute of Rhuddlan

The statute set the standard for laws and administration in Wales, under English control

This king's madness led to a Regency headed by his son, George (and to a popular modern film!)



Passionate about British Heritage!