PRESS RELEASE
1 July 2014
Previously unseen poems by a Poet Laureate to go on display at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Three unpublished poems by John Masefield (1878–1967) are to go on display in a new exhibition at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse next month. The handwritten works were given to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother) by Masefield, who was the Poet Laureate from 1930 to 1967. They were discovered to be the only copies of the poems in existence during preparation for the exhibition Poetry for the Palace: Poets Laureate from Dryden to Duffy, which opens at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, on 7 August.
A prolific poet and writer, John Masefield is best known today for his poems Sea-Fever and Cargoes and for the book, Gallipoli, published in 1916, which cast new light on the failure of the allied campaign in the Dardanelles and what the common soldier had endured. His fantasy novels written for children, The Midnight Folk and The Box of Delights, are regularly referenced in newspapers as among the best children's books ever written.
The poems reveal Masefield's close and affectionate relationship with the King. Lines for January 20th was composed in 1940 for the fourth anniversary of the death of King George V, father of King George VI, who was on the throne when Masefield was appointed Poet Laureate in 1930 and for whom Masefield wrote many poems. It communicates a sombre and quiet sense of the poet's own mortality, as well as that of his erstwhile monarch: Beyond the river-side; The frozen fields stretch wide; To where the beech-clumps bide; Leafless and still; In snow upon the hill; I think of One who died.
A Prayer for the King's Majesty upon his coronation marks the coronation of King George VI in May 1937. Song of the Birds for The Queen's Majesty, written in 1937, also celebrates the coronation, but focuses on Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth. As well as a formal calligraphic version, Masefield presented the Queen with a more intimate copy, written in his own hand and beautifully illustrated with vignettes of ships. The poem has an air of informality, focusing on the return of migratory birds in spring: Be near her in the midnight long; Uplift the moonrise of your song; To bring her peace, and make all troubles cease.
Oliver Urquhart Irvine, The Librarian, Royal Collection Trust, said, 'Many of the Laureate poems in the Royal Library were personally presented by the authors to the reigning monarch. Although many were subsequently published in newspapers or books, these three poems by Masefield are the only versions known to exist. We are delighted to be able to display these unique and moving works for the very first time.'
Dr Philip W Errington, Masefield Scholar and Archivist of The John Masefield Society, said, 'Masefield’s tenure as Poet Laureate covered the abdication of Edward VIII, the Second World
Press Office, Royal Collection Trust, York House, St James’s Palace, London SW1A 1BQ T. +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected], www.royalcollection.org.uk
War, the death of two Kings, the Coronations of George VI and the present Queen and the birth of Prince Charles. His 'official' Laureateship verse was published in The Times and even included a poem on the assassination of John F Kennedy. However these newly discovered poems reveal a very personal side to the role of Laureate. It is rare for entirely unknown and unrecorded poems by Masefield to come to light.'
From William Wordsworth and Alfred, Lord Tennyson to Sir John Betjeman and Ted Hughes, some of Britain's most famous poets have held the position of Poet Laureate. Poetry for the Palace: Poets Laureate from Dryden to Duffy, opening at The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse on 7 August, is the first exhibition to explore this royal tradition and the relationship between poet and monarch over 350 years.
Through historic documents from the Royal Library and newly commissioned works of art, the exhibition marks the halfway point in the tenure of the current Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy. The exhibition includes original manuscripts and rare editions presented to monarchs by Poets Laureate from the 17th century to the present day, many personally inscribed, handwritten or illustrated by the poets themselves. Over three-quarters of the 52 items will go on display for the first time.
The exhibition is part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.
Poetry for the Palace: Poets Laureate from Dryden to Duffy is at The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse, 7 August – 2 November 2014.
Visitor information for The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse: www.royalcollection.org.uk, Tickets: T. +44 (0)131 556 5100.
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Notes to Editors
Royal Collection Trust, a department of the Royal Household, is responsible for the care of the Royal Collection and manages the public opening of the official residences of The Queen. Income generated from admissions and from associated commercial activities contributes directly to The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity. The aims of The Trust are the care and conservation of the Royal Collection, and the promotion of access and enjoyment through exhibitions, publications, loans and educational programmes. Royal Collection Trust’s work is undertaken without public funding of any kind.
The Royal Collection is among the largest and most important art collections in the world, and one of the last great European royal collections to remain intact. It comprises almost all aspects of the fine and decorative arts, and is spread among some 13 royal residences and former residences across the UK, most of which are regularly open to the public. The Royal
Press Office, Royal Collection Trust, York House, St James’s Palace, London SW1A 1BQ T. +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected], www.royalcollection.org.uk
Collection is held in trust by the Sovereign for her successors and the nation, and is not owned by The Queen as a private individual.
Admission to The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse is managed by The Royal Collection Trust, a registered charity in England and Wales (1016972) and in Scotland (SCO39772).
Press Office, Royal Collection Trust, York House, St James’s Palace, London SW1A 1BQ T. +44 (0)20 7839 1377, [email protected], www.royalcollection.org.uk