Westminster Abbey discovers an unexpected link with Emperor Charlemagne

A small silk bag that has been in Westminster Abbey’s archives for centuries has gone on display to highlight a remarkable discovery about its origins.
Great Seal bag (c) Westminster Abbey
The silk bag dates to the reign of King Henry III (1207-1272) and is attached to the bottom of an inventory of the jewels and precious items on Edward the Confessor’s shrine within the Abbey. The inventory was needed because King Henry III needed money and pawned the jewels to Italian merchants, pr