Issue 42 summer 24 web - Flipbook - Page 82
Magnificent gleaming dragon
to take flight in the Nave of
Rochester Cathedral this summer
This summer Rochester Cathedral is marking 900 years since the creation of Textus Roffensis, the
Cathedral’s hugely important contribution to medieval writing. The centrepiece of Textus 900 will be
the installation of a spectacular dragon made of gold, silver and copper foil in its Nave.
The exhibition will be called Draco Roffensis: The
Rochester Dragon and has been inspired by illuminated
artwork found within the pages of Textus Roffensis. The
dragon will take flight at the Cathedral from June 1st to
September 21st.
recorded dating all the way back to the 7th century. In
2022 Textus Roffensis was added to the prestigious
UNESCO Memory of the World UK Register.
Draco Roffensis: The Rochester Dragon opens on the 1st
June. Details of the events programme will be announced
soon on Rochester Cathedral’s social media and website.
Draco Roffensis has been designed by celebrated artist
Wendy Daws. Made of gold, silver and copper foil sewn
onto wire panels, it will be suspended above the Nave
allowing services and events to continue underneath. The
underbelly of the dragon will be made from recycled
materials from ‘Tape’ a recent exhibition at Chatham
Dockyard by Numen/For Use. Quotes from Textus
Roffensis will be written on the tape allowing visitors to
discover more about early Medieval England. The dragon
will be covered in thousands of embossed golden scales.
About Rochester Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral (Kent) is England’s second oldest
Cathedral. It was founded in 604 AD with the present
building dating back to 1080. The glorious architecture
and close connection to Charles Dickens make it a fascinating and inspirational place to visit. Rochester has
excellent transport links and is just 35 minutes by train.
For more information on the Cathedral please visit our
website www.rochestercathedral.org.
The embossed foil scales will be decorated by visitors to
Rochester Cathedral as well as local community, art and
school groups. Artists from the Kent Association for the
Blind will also be very involved in the project. From the
4th May until the 30th May visitors will be able to emboss
the scales with decorative patterns creating a stunning
final effect. Textus Roffensis was written by monks from
Rochester so it is only fitting that Draco Roffensis should
also be created by the people of Rochester.
Artist Wendy Daws says; “I am truly honoured to receive
this commission to celebrate Draco Roffensis and delighted for
the opportunity to create an artwork for Rochester Cathedral
to mark this special occasion. I’m excited to work together with
so many different communities, to help create the embossed foil
scales, an integral part of the design that will bring the dragon
sculpture alive!”
Alongside Draco Roffensis will be a programme of events
celebrating Textus Roffensis. Full details of the programme
will be announced later in the year but will include family
activities and lectures. Textus 900 will culminate in the
premiere of a new lightshow by Luxmuralis inspired by
manuscripts, illustrations and the culture from dark ages
through early Middle Ages.
Textus Roffensis is one of the most important Medieval
manuscripts in England. It was written in Rochester in
the 1120s by monks at the Priory of St Andrews.
Amongst its contents are the earliest English laws
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