Author Fr Anthony turns his craft to medieval history

Fr Anthony Foreman, a retired diocesan priest, has published a book on the intriguing medieval history of Lidgate, the Suffolk village where he lives.

Lidgate, a small village in the Newmarket parish, boasts the remains of a Roman Villa, a Norman Castle and the birthplace of John de Lydgate, the famous medieval poet and monk of Bury Abbey. He presented a copy of his life of St Edmund to King Henry V on his visit to the abbey. Recently there was an amazing discovery of his probable signature in the village church.

Fr Anthony’s book recounts an imaginary visit by John to his village in 1432. There the Spirit of Lidgate Hill leads him in a dream journey through the history of the village from prehistory to the Black Death and the Peasants’ Revolt.

The account is set against the wider story of the de Hastyngs family, lords of the manor and hereditary stewards of the Abbey. In this millennial year of the Abbey the book will be of interest for Catholics, as it covers the growth of Christianity in East Anglia during the Anglo-Saxon period with some of its forgotten saints.

This is Fr Anthony’s eighth book. Earlier titles include two volumes of his autobiography, In at the deep end. He has also just published a social history work entitled The Memories of two old Suffolkers (including his own father). Fr Anthony is a former parish priest of Sudbury, Newmarket and Stowmarket and his roots lie deep in the locality.

Each book costs £10, including post and packing from ‘Wheelwrights’, Lidgate, Newmarket, Suffolk CB8 9PR or e-mail: humph.foreman@btinternet.com. Cheques payable to A. H. Foreman

Pictured above is Fr Anthony Foreman with his new book

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