Redcrosse

Do poetry and criticism matter in today's world? How can the poetry of the past help us tackle thechanging nature of religious faith and national identity? This book explores the creation of Redcrosse,a new poetic liturgy for St George's Day and a unique collaborative workwritten by the critic Ewan Fernie, the theologian Andrew Shanks and the majorcontemporary poets Jo Shapcott, Michael Symmons Roberts and Andrew Motion.Leading writers - including John Milbank, Salley Vickers and Sarah Apetrei, togetherwith authors of Redcrosseitself - reflect on the creation of the liturgy and its centralinspiration, Edmund Spenser's epic Renaissance poem, The Faerie Queene,as well as on its two premieres in St George's Chapel, Windsor and ManchesterCathedral, and its sometimes controversial public reception. Including the full text of Redcrosse, the volume triumphantly shows that a new poetic work really can address some of themost pressing concerns of our time.

Contributors \ Acknowledgements \ Part I: Reflections \ 1. Through the Red Cross Ewan Fernie \ 2. For Real Salley Vickers \ 3. A Desire for the Impossible Andrew Shanks \ 4. The Poet's Tale Michael Symmons Roberts \ 5. Fight the Good Fight? Sarah Apetrei \ 6. From Romance to Ritual: Redcrosse and Spenser's Faerie Queene John Milbank \ Part II: Redcrosse \ Redcrosse: A New Celebration of England and St George Ewan Fernie, Michael Symmons Roberts, Jo Shapcott and Andrew Shanks, and featuring a new poem from Andrew Motion