Recording and curating relics at Westminster Abbey in the late Middle Ages

A detailed analysis of inventories from the late Middle Ages reveals how relics and related objects were meticulously curated at Westminster Abbey, offering new insights into the spatial organization and care of these sacred items. The study highlights the role of a dedicated monastic officer, 'the keeper of St Edward’s shrine,' in managing a discrete collection within the shrine chapel of St Edward the Confessor, where English monarchs were traditionally buried. By examining inventories from 1467, 1479, and 1520, researchers uncovered the contents of the collection, monastic interest in its preservation, and the precise locations of relics within the chapel's spatial configuration. This holistic approach contributes significantly to understanding the cult of relics during this period.

Luxford, J. (2019). Recording and curating relics at Westminster Abbey in the late Middle Ages. Journal of Medieval History, 45(2), 204–230. https://doi.org/10.1080/03044181.2019.1593626