Here are some photos from last weekend’s ‘Lost Voices of the North-East’ Event which took place in Durham University’s music department on Palace Green, as part of the University’s ‘Being Human’ Festival of the Humanities. The event included performances of North Yorkshire’s spooky Lyke-Wake Dirge, County Durham’s famous ‘Ballad of the Lampton Worm’, the so-called […]
‘No No my Lord’ Anyone frustrated by current arguments in the news might benefit from reading the following spirited letter from the ninth Earl of Northumberland to William Cecil, second Earl of Salisbury. The subject is negotiations concerning the marriage of Lady Anne Cecil to Algernon Percy, future tenth Earl of Northumberland, and money that […]
A standard search of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography for “John Harrison” produces twelve results. Among scientists, artists, a horologist, a naval officer, clergymen, conspirators, one man is identified simply as “benefactor”—John Harrison (1579-1656) of Leeds. The only son and namesake of a successful clothier of the borough, Harrison inherited his father’s business in […]
Today, 15 June, is the Feast of Corpus Christi. This feast, traditionally celebrating the ‘Body of Christ’ represented by the bread and wine of the sacrament of Communion, has been a highlight of the Christian calendar for nearly 700 years, and is still the premier feast day following the celebration of Easter. Special services will […]
The 2016 SITM/REED North-East Colloquium and ‘Theatrum Mundi’ play festival took place in Durham last week and proved a great success. We at REED N-E would like to thank all participants, performers, producers, directors and well-wishers for a wonderful experience with some truly memorable early drama on display. Here are some images of some of […]
Rehearsals are gearing up for tomorrow night’s opening of “the oldest play in Britain”: Lindisfarne’s Anglo-Saxon Harrowing of Hell! Come join us in St. Oswald’s for the world premier, and an exciting double-bill with Prior Lawrence of Durham’s medieval play of the Peregrini (‘Pilgrims’). Here are a few early (rather grainy) photos:
On October 30, 1563, in Headingley (West Riding), young Anne Hobson knew that she had to tell her parents about her contract of marriage to Edward Walker. She would later deny that she had ever entered into such an agreement, but she knew that the rumours of it would soon reach the ears of her […]
The “lusty dauncinge prest” of Rufforth In July 1581, Sir Tristram Tildsley, vicar of Rufforth and Marston, faced allegations in a diocesan court of the Archbishop that his behaviour on many occasions during the preceding four years had been “most contrarie to his vocation.”* According to those who complained, he had comported himself in ways […]