A weekend of worship, music, history and learning as we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the death of Lancelot Andrewes.

As Bishop of Winchester from 1619, Andrewes oversaw a diocese that then included Southwark, and during this time he became closely associated with the area. The Bishop of Winchester's London residence, Winchester Palace, stood nearby, and it was there that Andrewes was staying when he died in 1626. He is the only Bishop of Winchester to be buried in Southwark Cathedral. Though the Cathedral was known as St Saviour's parish church at the time of his death, his tomb remains here today, to the right of the Great Screen.

A brilliant scholar, linguist and preacher, Andrewes is best known as one of the translators of the King James Bible, with particular responsibility for translating the Pentateuch – the first five books of the Old Testament. His writings and sermons have continued to inspire generations of theologians, writers and poets, including T. S. Eliot, whose celebrated poem The Journey of the Magi was inspired by Andrewes' 1622 Epiphany sermon. His influence on Anglican worship, theology and the English language continues to be felt more than four centuries later.

Our Lancelot 400 celebrations bring together distinguished speakers, beautiful liturgy and outstanding music to explore Andrewes' life, faith and enduring legacy.

Saturday 26 September

Morning
Southwark Cathedral Walking Tour: Lancelot Andrewes' London
Explore landmarks connected with Andrewes' life on a guided walk through the City of London.

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

A one-off walking tour as part of Southwark Cathedrals' Lancelot 400 celebrations.

This guided walk takes us to the buildings and places which connected Andrewes to his childhood, his early days as a priest and his later days as a bishop. We see the streets, churches and palaces which formed the backdrop to the life of this remarkable man.

This walking tour is 1 hour 30 mins long. Please note this is a walking tour with long periods of standing.

Meeting point: Canon Street Station

Ending point: Southwark Cathedral

Spaces are strictly limited so early booking is recommended.

Tickets available on Eventbrite From £10

Throughout the day

11:00am – 12:00pm 

Cathedral Guided Tour: Lancelot Andrewes Special

A special tour as part of Southwark Cathedrals Lancelot 400 celebrations. Discover Southwark Cathedrals woven history with the life of Lancelot Andrewes in this special tour as part of our Lancelot400 celebrations. 

The tour is 1 hour long. 

Meeting point: Welcome Desk via the Millennium Courtyard at Southwark Cathedral. 

Spaces are strictly limited, so early booking is recommended.  

Tickets available from £7 on Eventbrite

Exhibition from Lambeth Palace Library
Discover a display of facsimile manuscripts and documents relating to Andrewes and his life.

12.30pm
Book of Common Prayer Eucharist
Celebrate Holy Communion following the Book of Common Prayer, including one of Andrewes' own sermons.

14:00 – 15:30pm
Talk by Rowan Williams (former Archbishop of Canterbury)
Releasing the Spirit: Lancelot Andrewes and the Poetics of Preaching  

Nave

As part of our Lancelot Andrewes' 400th anniversary celebrations, join Rowan Williams for a talk exploring Andrewes' life, faith and legacy. Lancelot Andrewes is one of the most distinctive voices in early modern preaching. This talk will look at some of his favourite techniques as a preacher, drawing out the importance for him of presenting not a linear argument so much as a web of inviting images and insights, a style both serious and at times playful.

This event will involve a talk by Rowan Williams, with an opportunity at the end for an audience Q&A. 

Rowan Williams 

Rowan Williams is a former Archbishop of Canterbury and was until 2020 Master of Magdalene College at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books, including Looking East in Winter, Holy Living, and The Edge of Words, published by Bloomsbury Continuum. He lives in Cardiff and continues to broadcast, preach and lecture internationally. In 2022, he gave the second of the BBC's centenary Reith Lectures. He is contributing writer to The New Statesman.

Tickets are Free, but pre-booking is recommended on Eventbrite

4.00 PM
Choral Evensong

Sunday 27 September

11.00am
Morning Eucharist
Preacher: The Very Revd David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster. The service will include the first performance of a newly commissioned hymn by Malcolm Guite, written especially for the anniversary.

3.00pm
Festal Choral Evensong
The Cathedral Choir is joined by the Choir of Pembroke College, Cambridge, where Andrewes was Master, for a special service including the premiere of a newly commissioned anthem setting words by Lancelot Andrewes.

Whether you have a longstanding interest in Andrewes or are discovering his story for the first time, we invite you to join us as we celebrate the life and legacy of one of the Church of England's greatest scholars, in the place where he is laid to rest.