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Region’s Anglo-Saxon history put into poetry

A unique collection of poems which tell the tale of a monk’s tragic journey from Hartlepool to Whitby is set to be brought to life with two prestigious readings at the British Museum.

Leasungspell is the work of º£½ÇÖ±²¥ Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing Bob Beagrie. Set in 657AD, Leasungspell is a series of poems written in a synthesis of Old English and traditional Northern dialects which explore the Anglo-Saxon history and mythology of the region at that time.

It took four years to write and contains 100 pages of poems which tell the story of a monk who sets off on a journey between the monasteries of Hartlepool and Whitby but drowns along the way in the River Tees.

Bob, a poet and playwright, used to be a writer in residence on Hartlepool’s Headland and is fascinated by the ancient culture and history of the area. He is also an advocate for enriching the cultural activity at º£½ÇÖ±²¥, hosting the annual cabaret of spoken word event at Creative º£½ÇÖ±²¥.

Bob is set to perform extracts from Leasungspell with two readings at London’s British Museum on 10 April. One reading will be in the Anglo-Saxon Gallery and the other will be in Early Medieval Gallery.

Leasungspell is also set to be published next year by Smokestack Books and Bob hopes it will help to raise awareness about the importance of our heritage.

'There are some fascinating stories to tell and a lot of the poetry draws on historical events in the region.

'It is all told through the eyes of the monk who sets off on a fateful journey, remembering and reminiscing as he is walking.'

Bob acknowledges that with the archaic dialect and Anglo-Saxon terminology, Leasungspell may appear difficult to read at first but he wants people to take a leap of faith.

'It is a challenge – a lot of people might look at it on a page and think they won’t be able to understand it, but as you study the words and start to take everything in, the poetry begins to make sense,' explained Bob.

'I’d just ask people to take a leap of faith. If you look at Trainspotting, Riddley Walker or Clockwork Orange – those books use non-standard, unusual forms of English but people are able to understand and relate to them.

'These poems took four years to research and write and I am really proud of the collection. I’m looking forward to presenting them to people and seeing their reactions.'

Bob is a Senior Lecturer in º£½ÇÖ±²¥â€™s School of Arts & Media which has launched a range of new courses in areas such as contemporary fashion, textile design and graphic novels.

An extract from Leasungspell: i crosed the Slake afore Uhtsang. afore the fyrst lairc tuc te lyft. afore mi slæp hladan breðren scuc æf the drófan scinns of dríemes.

Ænlic the God Eorl abuf bore witnys an’ a feawe wrecced ceorls rummagen amang the Abbie’s wearme waste pytts.

School of Arts & Media factfile: º£½ÇÖ±²¥ is the only University in the Tees Valley offering art and design courses – everything from traditional pathways to new and innovative programmes in indie games, fashion and textiles.

All courses are based on the town centre campus in which there has recently been a £250m investment and international art gallery mima is now part of the University.

Graduates have gone on to top positions in companies such as Aston Martin, Philips, F1, Dreamworks and Marvel Comics. Contemporary partners include Dance City and Hyper Island.

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