Medieval relic hunters: the quest for Notre-Dame's crown of thorns

The crown of thorns was one of the greatest medieval relics, supposedly pressed into the head of Jesus Christ by mocking Roman soldiers. Hunted down by an intrepid pair of Dominican friars, it was brought to Paris by French king Louis IX in the 13th century, and paraded through the streets. As the relic returns to its home in the rebuilt Notre Dame cathedral this week, Emily Guerry speaks to David Musgrove about the fabulous ceremony that marked its first arrival in the city, and reveals how it was almost destroyed by fire in 2019.

The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.

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