A History of the World in 100 Objects: Lothair Crystal

Director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor retells the history of human development from the first stone axe to the credit card, using 100 selected objects from the Museum. Today's object is an engraved rock crystal connecting a biblical tale to a real life story of royal intrigue at the heart of Europe. The Lothair Crystal was made in the mid-9th century and offers scenes in miniature from the biblical story of Susanna, the wife of a rich merchant who is falsely accused of adultery. The crystal was intended to exemplify the proper functioning of justice but, intriguingly, the king for whom the piece was made was himself trying to have his marriage annulled so he could marry his mistress. The historian Rosamond McKitterick explains what we know of the court of King Lothair and former senior law lord Lord Bingham describes the role of justice as portrayed in this exquisite work of art