“THE hinged oval case topped by a delicate gold crown is covered, front and back, in raised lettering that would once have been enamelled. The writing explains that the vessel contains “the greatest heart that had any lady in the world”. Anne, Duchess of Brittany was twice queen of France, marrying, in turn, Charles VIII and Louis XII. She asked to be buried alongside Louis at Saint-Denis. She wanted her heart removed, however, and placed in her parents’ tomb at Nantes.”

http://www.economist.com/node/17249028.