A Reading of Erkenwald

Experience the Pinnacle of Middle English Poetry

Join us for a unique literary experience as we are immersed into to one founding texts of Old English poetry. On 27 April 2025 at 1400, we will present an immersive reading of the epic poem, Erkenwald.

This haunting tale, a literary treasure native to the North Shropshire, and thought to be the work of the same poet who wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which some people link to nearby Hawkstone.

Wells Cathedral, window including Erkenwald

Remarkably, the only surviving copy of Erkenwald was found right here in Shropshire!

Through the power of language and the evocative performance of Harry Frost, we will bring this ancient text to life.

Don’t miss this opportunity to:

• Experience the power of Old English poetry
• Immerse yourself in a world of myth and legend
• Connect with a timeless story
• Celebrate the rich literary heritage of North Shropshire

Event Details:

Date: 27 April, 2025
Time: 1400
Location: Soulton Hall
Tickets: via this link

Prepare to be captivated by the beauty of Erkenwald a poem from the very dawn of Modern English.

Saint Erkenwald St Albans Cathedral

St. Erkenwald, the revered Bishop of London and patron saint of the city, was a 7th-century figure whose legacy continues to inspire. Known for his extraordinary piety and wisdom, he is celebrated in the 14th-century poem Erkenwald as a miracle worker. In the poem, he communicates with a deceased Roman-British lord mayor, offering him a posthumous baptism and salvation. This remarkable act highlights Erkenwald’s role as a bridge between the past and present, and a symbol of hope for the English people.

Though Erkenwald is more frequently encountered in academic settings than in secondary schools, its timeless themes continue to resonate. The poem’s language, a bridge between the ancient and the modern, echoes the text’s exploration of time’s fluid nature.

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Please note this poem will be read in the original late 1300s text (you can sense what that is like via this link), we will have a modern translation available to follow along.  Ideally, this will be an outdoor event, but if it rains it will be located in the Moot Hall, which is accessed up one flight of steps.

St Erkenwald in a medieval window at Church of St Peter Mancroft, Norwich