Bishop to arrive by wherry for St Benet’s service this Sunday July 27

Once a year the riverside ruins of isolated St Benet’s Abbey are filled with music and prayer as the Bishop of Norwich, who is also Abbot of St Benet’s, arrives by wherry for the annual open-air service.

All are welcome to join this year’s St Benet’s service on Sunday July 27.

Atmospheric St Benet’s stands in reed-fringed water-meadows beside the River Bure. Bishop Graham will travel by wherry from Ranworth to be met by the modern-day heirs of the monks who lived, worked and worshipped here for centuries.

This is the only monastery in England not closed by Henry VIII. Instead it was given to the Bishop of Norwich, and the people who gather here for the annual summer service – priests, pilgrims, worshippers, walkers, sailors and those who have chanced upon the picturesque scene – are continuing a tradition of more than a thousand years of Christian praise and prayer on this spot.

In 1019 King Canute (of failing to hold back the tide fame and monarch of Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England) gave the land to a group of monks. Even before then there are stories of holy hermits living here.

The monks followed the rules of St Benedict (or Benet in medieval English). The annual service is organised by the St Benet’s Community, which is being expanded and revitalised by the Revd Ben Bradshaw, rector of the benefice of St Benedict’s, and also Prior of St Benet’s. It is for anyone, male or female, married or single, lay or clergy, interested in bringing inspiration from Benedictine spirituality into their day-to-day lives. New and existing members will pledge or renew their commitment as part of the annual service.

Timings: The bishop will leave Ranworth Staithe aboard the wherry yacht Norada at about 1.30pm on Sunday July 27 and should arrive at St Benet’s at about 3.15pm, for the 3.30-4.10pm service. Organisers hope the bishop’s wherry will be accompanied by a second wherry yacht.

History and mystery

Stories and legends have swirled around the abbey for centuries. One of the most haunting is that of the monk Essric, who let invaders into St Benet’s almost 1,000 years ago, on condition he would be abbot. He was duly appointed abbot – and then hanged for his treachery from the gatehouse archway, which still stands.

Four hundred years later Sir John Fastolf, of Caister Castle, near Great Yarmouth, was a generous benefactor. The soldier and landowner had led the English defeated by Joan of Arc and inspired Shakespeare’s character Falstaff. He funded a grand south aisle and chapel, where he was buried.  

In the 18th century a windpump, now ruined itself, was built into the ancient stonework of the gatehouse.

The landscape of water, sky and stones has attracted artists for centuries – from John Sell Cotman and Edward Seago to Norfolk’s 21st century child-prodigy painter Kieron Williamson.

The site is looked after by the Norfolk Archaeological Trust and is free to enter.

Pictures: Jason Bye