Secret Spaces: Sacred Treasuries in England 1066–1320

Sacred treasuries formed part of every medieval cathedral or church housing contents that were endowed with profound spiritual significance but were also of immense value in worldly terms. In many ways, these were the predecessors of both modern museums and modern banks.

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The medieval treasure house, consisting of sacristy, vestry and treasure rooms was the depository for the ecclesiastical treasure belonging to a church, holy vessels, vestments, altar hangings, candlesticks and priceless liturgical books and reliquaries. It was carefully designed to convey the message of its status and function.

A book devoted to these medieval museums which housed such precious materials is long overdue. Ironically, the interest in the objects that they conserved has often resulted in ecclesiastical treasure being removed to new museums, leaving their former places of protection in need of protection themselves.