Golden Rose

Shouts in the Piazza has an informative post on the Golden Rose, a papal 'honour' which Pope Benedict has just bestowed on the shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This custom was introduced by the eleventh century (supplanting the older custom of presenting the golden key of the confessio of St Peter's) and was, at first, bestowed on Catholic monarchs. English recipients include Henry VI (1444), Henry VIII (three times!), Mary I (1555) and Henrietta-Maria (consort of Charles I, 1625).