REVIEW – House of Lilies: The Dynasty that Made Medieval France, by Justine Firnhaber-Baker

Alexander Faludy

Alexander Faludy

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4 min read

House of Lilies: The Dynasty that Made Medieval France

Justine Firnhaber-Baker

Penguin, £30, 448 pages

On 12 August 1239, Louis IX of France and h is entourage intercepted some monks on the busy road between Sens and Troyes and demanded to see their cargo. The brothers handed the king a wooden box. Inside, Louis found another one made of silver, and inside that one made of gold. Nestled within this last container lay a far greater treasure still: the Crown of Thorns said to have been worn by Jesus at the Crucifixion.

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