Now it is not often that I come across a Medieval Wedding Poet, but today I have and Anna Whitehouse provides a wonderful service and tells her story below:
It was a friend’s wedding at Kenilworth Castle which prompted me to write my first Medieval style poem. That, and the magnificence of the ruined Kenilworth Castle, which still has the power to amaze, even after twenty-five years worth of visits.
I grew up taking the castle for granted as we had a free residents’ pass, so often took visitors there to watch jousts and sword fighting re-enactments or just to stroll around the peaceful grounds and gardens. Visiting the ruins and seeing pictures of how the castle looked when Queen Elizabeth I visited the Earl of Leicester, ignited my developing imagination.
My love of writing began early and continued throughout school, culminating in winning first prize in the Stratford-Upon-Avon Poetry Festival Competition at the age of eighteen. After studying literature at A Level, I left Kenilworth to read Drama at university, returning to the midlands to marry and have my daughter. For a while, life became less about poetry and more about washing up!
The last of my school friends to marry decided on an intimate ceremony at Kenilworth Castle gatehouse, where she could enjoy a drink overlooking the wonderfully restored Elizabethan gardens. A mutual school friend, who was now an artist, suggested that we join forces to produce an illustrated poem as a wedding gift. Feeling a little nervous, as I hadn’t written for a while, I took on the challenge and, within hours, I had composed the first draft of ‘The Right Knight’, a comic poem which transformed my friend into a Medieval Lady and the groom into a dashing Scottish Lord.
I wasn’t expecting the poem to receive such a great response. Lots of people at the wedding and afterwards wanted to know who had written the funny Medieval poem. A while later, there was another run of weddings and a familiar surge of creativity resulted in me writing a Medieval poem for each one, again with excellent feedback.
Before my daughter was born I had developed a chronic illness called fibromyalgia, which meant that my mobility was sometimes limited, so while my daughter was a toddler it was enough just to survive each day! However, once my daughter was at school, I became restless and fed up. Unable to work, I took a few short writing courses and began to flex my creative muscles again. I decided to find out if anyone else was writing Medieval poetry for weddings and discovered that while there were a few people writing serious wedding poems, mine seemed to be unique with their light-hearted Medieval twist. I also discovered that Medieval weddings were becoming amazingly popular and that there were a growing number of businesses offering Medieval themed entertainment and costumes.
My husband encouraged me to develop a website to promote my poems and it wasn’t long before I received my first request from a French lady whose sister was having a Medieval wedding in France. I had such a great response to the poem that I gained the confidence to trade links with other Medieval websites. All of the sites I contacted (including, of course, www.celticcastles.com) liked my poems and agreed to link to my website. I now write poetry for as many occasions as I can and, although my illness limits what I can do, I have a new focus in my life and a new sense of purpose.
I still return to Kenilworth Castle when I get the chance, but now it’s my daughter’s turn to climb the steps to top of the castle, explore the dungeons and run around the grounds, letting her imagination run wild!
What an inspiring story! Should anyone want more information about a having a poem or other written work linked to a Medieval event or castle stay, just contact The Castle Man or Anna Whitehouse “The Medieval Poet”.
For more information about visiting Kenilworth Castle
Find more unusual gift ideas from the English Heritage Online Shop English Heritage Prints
Anne has had some great feedback which you can read below:
“Sir Ade of the Glade” has brought great amusement to all my family and friends. Anna has captured our personalities and individual quirks with outstanding insight and wit. I haven’t tired of reading this poem time and time again! I would highly recommend “The Medieval Poet” to all!
Rebecca Jones, Kenilworth.
“I really loved the story, it’s perfect! I really love it, you’ve done a terrific job! 
”
Deborah Marc, France
For those of you who would enjoy a full Medieval Banquet have a look at:
This unique property was originally a 12th century Cistercian abbey nestling in England’s historic heartland. Coombe Abbey has been restored to its former glory and combines a taste of history with a sense of luxury. Set within 500 acres of breathtaking parkland, it is the perfect backdrop for all occasions.
Ruthin Castle stands in thirty acres of parkland yet is only three minutes’ walk from the Medieval town centre of Ruthin. The castle has a proud, centuries-old tradition of providing hospitality and comfort. Each of the bedrooms has individual personality and most enjoy views over the extensive estate and beautiful Welsh mountains.
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