Eight hundred years ago the 'little poor man' of Assisi, Francesco, was canonised as a saint in 1226 and his relics became the focus of veneration, which continues to this day. Was this a new religious practice and belief or something with far deeper roots? Through illustrated lectures, drawing upon a rich variety of sources, explore the fascinating story of the veneration of the most holy dead - the martyrs and saints - and their relics from the earliest days of Christianity to the High Middle Ages. We will look at the origins of the cult of saints and relics in early Christianity, why sensing the sacred became so popular and so widespread, including relics of the Passion of Christ, and the immense influence they came to have on medieval politics and religion. It is not only a story of faith and belief, however, but one of conflict, where believers and unbelievers sought to affirm or deny the authenticity of saints and their relics. Lecture style with question and answer time.