Lancelot 400
Lancelot 400
Saturday 26th September
A weekend of worship, music, history and learning as we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Lancelot Andrewes.
As Bishop of Winchester from 1619, Andrewes oversaw a diocese that then included Southwark, and during this time he became closely associated with the area. The Bishop of Winchester’s London residence, Winchester Palace, stood nearby, and it was there that Andrewes was staying when he died in 1626. He is the only Bishop of Winchester to be buried in Southwark Cathedral. Though the Cathedral was known as St Saviour’s parish church at the time of his death, his tomb remains here today, to the right of the Great Screen.
A brilliant scholar, linguist and preacher, Andrewes is best known as one of the translators of the King James Bible, with particular responsibility for translating the Pentateuch – the first five books of the Old Testament. His writings and sermons have continued to inspire generations of theologians, writers and poets, including T. S. Eliot, whose celebrated poem The Journey of the Magi was inspired by Andrewes’ 1622 Epiphany sermon. His influence on Anglican worship, theology and the English language continues to be felt more than four centuries later.
Our Lancelot 400 celebrations bring together distinguished speakers, beautiful liturgy and outstanding music to explore Andrewes’ life, faith and enduring legacy.
