Seeds of Eternity, the latest exhibition in the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library, celebrates the 17th century poet & spiritual writer Thomas Traherne who was originally from Hereford and served as Rector of Credenhill after studying at Oxford. 

Many visitors to Hereford Cathedral will have stood in awe at the beautiful windows in the Audley Chapel which pay tribute to Traherne and his writing. Created by Tom Denny and installed in 2007, the four windows feature colourful and detailed illustrations of the natural world as described by Traherne. The cathedral archives recently acquired the original designs for these windows (pictured below) and it will be the first opportunity to see them on display, their bright colours juxtaposed against the brown leather of manuscripts and early printed books in the chained library.  

Seeds of Eternity has a keen focus on exploring Traherne from today’s eco-conscious perspective, highlighting some of the theologians who influenced his love of the natural world. One such piece is a well-used late 13^th century manuscript which contains several items by Bernard of Clairvaux emphasising the love of God and his creations, a sense which is echoed throughout Traherne’s writings.

Traherne’s writing wasn’t fully appreciated until after his death and he only published one book in his lifetime, which was a departure from the poetry for which he is now so well known. Roman Forgeries, which features in the exhibition, is a passionate defence of the Church of England published in 1673, a time of intense conflict amongst different branches of Christianity.

The exhibition also features brand new artwork created in response to Traherne’s poem ”Walking”. Book artist Paul Johnson has created Walking with Traherne, an innovative concertina pop-up book which features vibrant dyed paper and intricate designs, especially for Seeds of Eternity. It reflects the abundance in Traherne’s poem and invites the reader to reflect on the beauty in the world around them.

Jennifer Dumbelton, Cathedral Librarian, said: “I have loved getting to know Thomas Traherne while preparing this exhibition. His writing is joyful, engaging and full of curiosity. He is a perfect writer to discover today. The Civil War and Restoration periods were times of conflict and discovery, just like the world we live in now. I am confident his reflections on nature and theology will resonate with visitors, and I’m so excited to bring such colourful art into the chained library.”

Seeds of Eternity is on display in the Mappa Mundi & Chained Library Exhibition from Monday 23 September 2024 – Saturday 5 April 2025, 10am – 5pm (last admission 4.30pm). Please note that the exhibition will be closed throughout January for essential cleaning and conservation work.

 

Banner image: Paul Johnson's Walking with Traherne