As to its results, we must bear in mind that, while there is no need to attribute the mass of stories regarding miraculous cures to conscious fraud, there was without doubt, at a later period, no small admixture of belief biased by self-interest, with much pious invention and suppression of facts.

Enormous revenues flowed into various monasteries and churches in all parts of Europe from relics noted for their healing powers.

Every cathedral, every great abbey, and nearly every parish church claimed possession of healing relics.

While, undoubtedly, a childlike faith was at the bottom of this belief, there came out of it unquestionably a great development of the mercantile spirit.

The commercial value of sundry relics was often very high.