Old Clem! Blow the fire, blow the fire: St Clement’s Day and Dickens

• 08/06/2021
• 18:00-19:30
• Online talk

The Martyrdom of St Clement by Fungai (Public domain/Wikimedia Commons)

Online talk by Dr Paul Cowdell (University of Hertfordshire), Tuesday 8 June 2021, 18:00–19:30

November 23rd is St Clement’s day. The patron saint of blacksmiths, his day was celebrated by processions, dinners, effigies, poetry and appeals for money at village forges and, more rowdily, at dockyard smithies. It also merged with similar celebrations 2 days later for St Catherine, the patron saint of ropemakers. This talk will look at the saints and their celebrations, and the interaction of folklore and literature. Along the way it will include Dickens, doles, the docks, and dynamite.

Paul Cowdell looks at the customs, folk drama and legends associated with St Clement’s Day, taking in Dickens, doles, docks and dynamite.

Booking via Eventbrite, sales open 29 April

Tickets £5.00 (Folklore Society members £3.00 with Promo code)