Category Archives: Written and spoken Old English

HWÆT! poetry and music at Jarrow Hall

Anglo-Saxon woman reading poetry in meadhall
Gesið at Jarrow Hall (c) PWicks 2024
Anglo-Saxon man playing harp in meadhall
Harp player at Jarrow Hall (c) PWicks 2024

One of our members participated in an evening of poetry, music and song at Jarrow Hall on Sunday 9th June. We also enjoyed the sound of the Anglo-Saxon harp accompanied by pipe and drum, all by the same musician. Local poets read poetry and we heard traditional songs too. Naturally it was accompanied by a glass of mead and a roraing fire. Gesiðas are delighted and honoured to be able to join in such events and help to share our love of language and poetry from th eperiod with others.

Two of the performers reading in the meadhall
Meadhall poets at Jarrow Hall (c) PWicks

Old English out loud

Old English can look very strange when you come across it written on the page. Some of our members are available to provide readings and you can find a couple of recent examples here:

The Death of King Æthelbald read at Repton St Wystan

and the Lord’s Prayer read at Lythe St Oswald

If you woud like to hear more Old English check out some of our links on this website.

Alternatively visit the English Companions at our stall at one of the following events:

  • Dalbyology, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire, 7 July
  • Anglo-Saxon Day, Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, North York Moors, 4 August
  • Stamford Bridge, East Yorkshire, 28 September
  • Battle of Old Byland Event, Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, North York Moors, 13 October
  • Battle of Hastings Wreath Laying, Hastings, October, TBC
  • Harold Festival, Waltham Abbey, October, TBC