Blessing and Bards at Crossbones Graveyard

The annual Act of Regret, Remembrance and Restoration - 23 July

Performed by the Dean of Southwark and followed by local Bards offering poetry and songs.

Timings: 12.30pm - leave Southwark Cathedral

12.45pm (approx) - Arrive at Crossbones

1-2pm - Act of Regret

2-4pm - The Bards perform

Due to the limited space, please come early to secure admittance.

Date: Sunday 23 July

Tickets: This event is free and open to all, wheelchair accessible. Dogs on leads welcome. Book your free ticket here.

Details from Blessings and Bards organisers - the Magical Collective

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.

The 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 welcome the new Dean of Southwark to the Crossbones Graveyard and be able to open the Garden to a larger audience for a longer time, both to witness this moving and beautiful ceremony and also to enjoy afterwards the songs, music and poetry session, led by George of Peckham.

Organised by the MC, the Magical Collective who, since the retirement of John Constable/Crow, lead the monthly Vigils at the Crossbones Gates which were instrumental in saving Crossbones for posterity.

July Vigil to Honour the Outcast - 23 July

Blessings and Bards is followed by the July Vigil to Honour the Outcast from 6.45pm at the Ribbon Gates. Visit Crossbones Graveyard Vigil to Honour the Outcast on Facebook for the full details and a zoom link for those who can't attend in person.