The Crossbones Graveyard – Blessings and Bards 2022
Blessings and Bards is a free event unique to Crossbones Graveyard. The event encompasses an Act of Regret, Remembrance and Restoration from the Dean of Southwark to those buried at the site. Following the blessing, local champions of Crossbones Graveyard share songs, music and poetry led by George of Peckham.
Date: 24 July
From: 12.30pm at Southwark Cathedral with a walk to Crossbones Graveyard. The event ends at 3.30pm.
Booking: No need to book but due to the limited space, please come early to secure admittance.
This event is free and open to all, wheelchair accessible. Dogs on leads welcome.
The history of this special event
In 2015, the Dean of Southwark, the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn, processed for the very first time, with his clergy to Crossbones Graveyard, memorial garden for the Outcast Dead.
He came to offer an Act of Regret, Remembrance and Restoration to the Winchester Geese, and to offer a blessing for all the people, some 15,000 women, children, men, for whom Crossbones is their last resting place.
The Winchester Geese were the sex workers of the medieval Liberty of Winchester, licenced by the Bishop, their landlord, to ply their prostitute trade but reportedly denied a Christian burial.
Crossbones lies at the very heart of the old Liberty and is said to be the very un-consecrated burial ground where these women lie.
All the people whose remains lie here are Outcasts of some kind, whether through the hypocrisy of the medieval church or from poverty, disease, and prejudice.
Mr Dean's Act of Regret has become an annual tradition, although the last two years have seen a very restricted number of attendees.
This year however, the organisers of the Blessings and Bards are very happy to open the garden to a larger audience, both to witness this moving and beautiful ceremony and to enjoy afterwards the songs, music and poetry session, led by George of Peckham.
The Magical Collective
Organised by the MC, the Magical Collective, who, since the retirement of John Constable/Crow (see here for more information), lead the monthly Vigils at the Crossbones Gates. These vigils, along with tireless campaigning by local people and Bankside Open Spaces Trust, were instrumental in saving Crossbones for posterity. The Vigils have been held every month for over 18 years, they take place on the 23rd of every month, 7pm at the Redcross Way Ribbon Gates.
Jennifer Cooper, the current Madam of Ceremonies at the Vigil says, "The people of the Vigil hold that transformation is possible, however long it takes and that the Garden is an example of this. From being a place of desolation and pain to our beautiful pilgrim's destination of peace, healing and beauty, Crossbones is a place of historical, social, and spiritual significance.”
Blessings and Bards, 24 July 12.30-30pm
Full timings:
Leave Southwark Cathedral at 12.30
Arrival at Crossbones approx. 12.45
Act of Regret from 1-2 pm
The Bards (songs, music, poetry) from 2-3.30pm
““We are very happy and grateful to Mr Dean for creating this Act of Regret, Remembrance and Restoration and look forward to welcoming him once more to Crossbones Graveyard.” ”
