The Summoner and Saints/Holy Relics

In Medieval England, a summoner was one who summoned, or found people who were accused of violations to the Church law, and brought them to ecclesiastical court (which is court of religion) for crimes ranging from witchcraft to illicit intercourse. Summoners are usually lower class. For more on the ecclesiastical court, you can read Sravya's posting.


The biblical definition of a saint was one who is sanctified. Early on, the Christians were all considered saints, but overtime the term developed into a title of those who had a certain level of holiness. When saints died, sometimes their bones or possessions were deemed as ‘‘relics” and kept because they held religious significance. These relics are honored and respected, just as saints were when they were alive. Relics are severely important in such cultures as Buddhism, and some forms of Christianity and Hinduism.