2-888-689 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Jubilee of St. Sang, at Bruges - the Procession to the Cathedral, 1850. Religious festival in Belgium to honour of the relic of of the Holy Blood. 'The passing of the procession occupied several hours; and, notwithstanding the rain which fell towards noon, the coup-d'oeil was very splendid. The pageant consisted of upwards of 1500 individuals, all dressed with great taste, and often, according to the historical character, with much sumptuousness. For example, the Queen Marie of Bourgogne wore a costume enriched with diamonds and precious stones to the value of 60,000 francs...The ecclesiastical cortege extended from 500 to 600 metres...The history of the relic of St. Sang dates from the year 1150...Thierry of Alsace, Count of Flanders, brought from Jerusalem some of the blood of the Saviour, which, according to tradition, had been obtained by Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.' From "Illustrated London News", 1850.