It is said to hold a sacred relic, found by a lady who made a rather tiresome habit of identifying such things, and it was used by a famous man when he declared his suzerainty over a European country. More oddly, it also figured in a delusion suffered by a fictional character who was having a lot of trouble with an obstreperous marine creature. What is it, where is it kept, and what's that relic?

queproblema

Is this anywhere close to the right track? "The Crown of Thorns was documented as being in Jerusalem in 409 AD. It was transferred to Constantinople in 1063, although it seems that the thorns were removed and presented to various rulers in Europe at an earlier date. In 1238 Baldwin II, the Latin Emperor of Constantinople, anxious to obtain support for his tottering empire offered the crown of thorns to Louis IX, King of France, who built the Sainte-Chapelle to house it. During the French Revolution, the crown was kept in the Bibliothèque Nationale until 1806 when the thornless remains were deposited in the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris." The lady would be St. Helena, Constantine's mother. http://www.olacathedral.org/nstory/2005/2005-03-15-relicsofpassion.html Jan 31 07, 6:58 PM

lanfranco

You're on the right track, qp, because I am looking for a crown. And Helena does, indeed, figure in. However, you might think about the fictional guy with the delusion. That could help. Jan 31 07, 7:03 PM

peasypod

Peasy thinks this must be the 'Iron Crown of Lombardy', which does happen to dabble with Moby Dick. It is, of course, kept at the Cathedral in Monza......which I have some quite funny memories there with the local pigeons. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Crown_of_Lombardy Jan 31 07, 7:53 PM

lanfranco

And an iron mace to you, peasy! The Iron Crown of Lombardy is the correct answer. Er, would you like to discuss the pigeon experience? In the meantime, here's a nice color photograph of the crown: http://www.comune.monza.mi.it/ns/latuacitta/turismo/duomo/html/la_corona_ferrea.html Jan 31 07, 8:00 PM

peasypod

The last time I was around Milano I had hair extensions. (millions of tiny waist-length braids) and lets just say these *&%&^ birds had a fettish for them. I would have camped out inside the chapel had I not feared the roof coming tumbling down on me... Jan 31 07, 8:08 PM

lanfranco

Ah ha. If, by chance, your braids were brightly beaded, then I must say that you were fair game. ;) Jan 31 07, 8:12 PM