SAINTS, SHRINES AND PILGRIMS

In the Middle Ages, it was thought that praying at the right shrine could save you from just about anything, from madness and famine to false imprisonment and even shipwreck. Kingdoms, cities, and even individual trades had patron saints that would protect them fr om misfortune and bring them wealth and prosperity, and their feast days were celebrated with public holidays and pageants. With sai nts believed to have the ear of God, veneration of figures such as St Thomas Becket, St Cuthbert, and St Margaret brought tens of th ousands ...[Read more]