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Treasures of Heaven: saints, relics and devotion in medieval Europe

The story of St Ursula

Discover the story of the English princess Ursula who before her marriage went on pilgrimage to venerate relics in the Holy Land.

This beautiful woman is most likely intended to represent one of the companions of St Ursula. According to legend St Ursula was an English princess who decided to go on a holy pilgrimage before her marriage. The legend also states that she took with her 11,000 virgin companions as company for the journey.

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• Exhibitions
• Treasures of Heaven
• Object stories

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Introduction to the exhibition

The Treasures of Heaven exhibition brings together for the first time some of the finest sacred masterpieces of medieval art.

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Holy Thorn Reliquary

This reliquary was made to house a relic of the Crown of Thorns, the wreath of thorns placed on the head of Jesus Christ at his crucifixion.
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Medieval goldsmiths

Medieval goldsmiths were some of the most important craftsmen because they worked with precious metals.
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