Holy Menses of Saint Guinevere

The Holy Menses of Saint Guinevere, previously The Holy Blood of Saint Guinevere, is a relic of the supposed saint, Queen Guinevere Wilem of Flowers. Originally claimed to be blood from her execution, it was later found to be a fake. However, those worshipers of the Cult of Guinevere at the Guineveraeum at Zidonia claim it still to be holy, as it apparently has the properties of Holy Blood. 
== Description ==
The Holy Menses is contained upon a torn rag of linen, about ten inches by four inches. The rag is a dirty tan in color, worn with age. Upon its center, going lengthwise, is a splattering of dark brown blood. At one point, it was a bright crimson, though now it is faded, crusted, and dark. The stain is akin to a smear, something which led to its claims as being blood from the queen's execution being debunked. 
Originally, the followers of Guinevere claimed that the rag held blood from her execution at Isgerdia. However, after some deliberation, it was concluded that the rag was actually menstrual blood, possibly not even of the queen. However, its Holy Blood properties are still attested to by followers. 
The rag is housed within a glass domed reliquary, adorned in silver. It rests upon a red silk pillow, which the dome sits around. Its place is on the right side of the altar. 
== History ==
In the winter of 117 ME, a man and woman arrived at the Guineveraeum at Zidonia carrying a box upon poles. When asked what it contained, they carefully opened it, revealing a bloody rag on a pillow. The couple explained that they were Korevnans who had witnessed the martyrdom of Guinevere at Isgerdia. They claimed that the rag contained blood that they had been able to soak up from the steps of the cathedral. They claimed it was Holy Blood and that it had cured the woman's twisted leg partway through their journey when she had licked it. To prove this, she showed the scar running along her perfectly formed leg. 
Impressed by the story, the congregation purchased the relic for a large sum. They housed the couple there for four days before they left, never to be seen in Zidonia again. A reliquary was made for the rag, which was called The Holy Blood of Saint Guinevere. For several months it was revered as such, alongside the Ossein Rose, another relic of Guinevere. However, in early 118, a man from Montesteae who fashioned himself a traveling priest of Guinevere, called Jon the Pious, arrived to inspect the relic. He came to the conclusion it was a fake, not being blood at all but menstrual blood, probably from the woman that they had purchased the relic from. The congregation at Zidonia was outraged at this accusation. 
Despite its authenticity being disputed, the people of the Guineveraeum at Zidonia still claim it to be an authentic relic. Now calling it the Holy Menses of Saint Guinevere, they claim it to be the blood dregs of the former queen, collected by guards during her imprisonment at Korevna. It is housed still at the Guineveraeum at Zidonia, within a glass domed reliquary. 
Category:Relics
Category:Religion
Category:Cult of Guinevere