Learnings: Relics and Saints
According to the Church, a saint's connection with God granted them miraculous powers. It was thought that they could help answer prayers, heal the sick, and advocate for the faithful on Earth. Early medieval churches encouraged worshippers to believe that relics helped to access the saints' power. Christian pilgrims travelled far and wide to see and touch the sacred objects, hoping for miracles, filling the churches, and bringing business to the town. THe practice of revering and petitioning saints and their relics was known as the cult of saints.
Because of their popularity, relics were placed in special containers to protect them from wear and tear. These were called reliquaries; as seen in this image, they were often made from precious materials. The most important and sacred relics would be held in a church, where the clergy controlled who could vist them.
While the Discovery Tour wished to depict the value and santity attributed to a relic, the journey of the Winchester reliquary in our game is fictitious.