The theft of a gold case containing the heart of the only woman twice crowned queen of France has provoked outrage.
The reliquary, which has held the heart of Anne of Brittany since her death 504 years ago, was taken from the Thomas-Dobree Museum in Nantes on Friday night. Measuring just six inches across, the oval case is of “enormous historical value”, says The Sunday Telegraph.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
His colleague Catherine Touchefeu added: “If the thieves were motivated by the fact that it is shiny and made of gold, they should understand that its historical and symbolic value far outweighs its 100 grams of gold.”
Anne of Brittany married Charles VIII of France in 1491 at the age of 12, ascending the throne as queen consort. However, Charles died without an heir in 1498, and she married Louis XII a year later.
Throughout her reign, Anne defended the autonomy of Brittany, then a duchy, from greater France, says the Telegraph.
Although Nantes is not in modern Brittany, it was part of the historical duchy and is still culturally connected to the region. Anne’s body was buried near Paris following her death in 1514 – but, at her own request, her heart was returned to her homeland.
The golden reliquary, considered a masterpiece of early-16th century metalwork, was originally placed in Anne’s parents’ tomb in a monastery chapel in Nantes. It had been on display at the Thomas-Dobree Museum for 130 years.
The Local reports that regional officials have issued a plea to the thieves to return the priceless artefact, which was stolen along with a golden Hindu statue and a collection of gold coins.
-
Could a part-and-part mortgage help you on to the property ladder?Combining repayment and interest-only mortgages could become more popular as part of a push towards more flexible lending
-
Is social media over?Today’s Big Question We may look back on 2025 as the moment social media jumped the shark
-
Should parents stop tracking their kids?Talking Point Experts warn the line between care and control is getting murkier – and could have consequences
-
‘Lumpy skin’ protests intensify across France as farmers fight cullIN THE SPOTLIGHT A bovine outbreak coupled with ongoing governmental frustrations is causing major problems for French civil society
-
How Bulgaria’s government fell amid mass protestsThe Explainer The country’s prime minister resigned as part of the fallout
-
Femicide: Italy’s newest crimeThe Explainer Landmark law to criminalise murder of a woman as an ‘act of hatred’ or ‘subjugation’ but critics say Italy is still deeply patriarchal
-
Brazil’s Bolsonaro behind bars after appeals run outSpeed Read He will serve 27 years in prison
-
Americans traveling abroad face renewed criticism in the Trump eraThe Explainer Some of Trump’s behavior has Americans being questioned
-
Nigeria confused by Trump invasion threatSpeed Read Trump has claimed the country is persecuting Christians
-
The Louvre’s security measures are in hot water after a major heistIn the Spotlight Millions of dollars in jewels were stolen from the museum
-
France’s ‘red hands’ trial highlights alleged Russian disruption operationsUNDER THE RADAR Attacks on religious and cultural institutions around France have authorities worried about Moscow’s effort to sow chaos in one of Europe’s political centers
