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Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

08/10/2015

BBC Radio 4 - We British, Foundation Stones

Andrew Marr looks at the various origin stories found in some of Britain's earliest verses

Andrew Marr looks at the various origins of Britain's story found in some of its earliest verses. With Carol Ann Duffy, Simon Armitage and Patience Agbabi.

The British are brilliant at writing poems. On National Poetry Day, Andrew Marr is using them to tell our story.

In this opening episode Andrew looks at the various origins of our story found in some of the earliest verses written in these islands. Then he plunges into the majestic weirdness and strange familiarity of the medieval world. Before, in the figure of Chaucer he finds the first stirrings of an English ascendancy.

With Simon Armitage, Patience Agbabi, Gillian Clarke, Carol Ann Duffy and Jacob Polley. 

We'll hear the origins of our British poetry, and of our national character, in poems like The Ruin, Y Goddodin and the Canterbury Tales. And fans of Lord of the Rings and King Arthur will recognise the mediaeval landscapes of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

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Andrew Marr explores British history and identity through poems.

Andrew Marr explores British history and identity through poems. An epic broadcast for National Poetry Day.

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