We aim help children to better understand their emotions and support everyone’s wellbeing by enthusing about East Kent's heritage. Our project focuses on the rich diversity of East Kent Medieval Animals Heritage (MAH) that spans nearly a thousand years. Our heritage project is linked to the life and legacy of the remarkable Saint Anselm, a theologian and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 until 11
09. St Anselm oversaw a spiritual and intellectual renaissance in East Kent. Less well-known is Anselm’s emphasis on creation and the natural world. Medieval animals have been linked to St Francis, but this project brings the much more ancient bestiary tradition to the fore and shows how these books of beasts were used by St Anselm and his kinsman Honorius in East Kent to connect spirituality to people’s emotions in what became an important local and international heritage.
Anselm is in effect our early St Francis. Examples from St Anselm’s writings include the soaring eagle, the beautiful Pearl and the frightened Hare. There is also the stunningly beautiful thirteenth-century Rochester Bestiary, with its golden scenes of brave Lions, Unicorns and Tigers. You can find out more on these amazing books of beasts here.
