Collector and saint: Queen Radegund and devotion to the relic of the True Cross
Cynthia Hahn
Abstract Radegund, queen of the Franks and launder monastery Ste Croix, was a lifelong relic collector with particular interest in saints from holy East. With her acquisition first major True Cross to arrive Northern Europe, gift byzantine emperor Justin 11 his wife Sophia, Merovingian reached culmination an ambitious collecting program. Furthermore, through celebration cult relic, as recipient, patron, among devotees, she secured own future status saint.1 Radegund orchestrated presentation maximum effect. Although it most probably already protected by reliquary accompanied imperial bequest, lavish gold gemmed Gospel book,2 enclosed larger casket along other relics turn placed this arca oratory.3 The ensemble presented viewers elaborately celebrated processions, conspicuous acts private devotion, regular performance ecclesiastical liturgy all which stimulated miracles pilgrimage. That Vexilla Regis, ‘world-famous hymn, one grandest treasury Latin Church,’ composed Radegund's friend Venantius Fortunatus celebrate adventus cross Poitiers reveals relic's contemporary continuing fame.4
Word & Image