Wanderings with the Green Knight
Photo by Patric Rogers
With 8 weeks out from the opening of Into the Wyld.
Material Matters took a field trip together to visit the Green Chapel itself.
Nestled in the serene Staffordshire countryside, on the southwestern edge of the Peak District, lies Lud Church. This hidden crevice, stretches over 100 meters in length and descends 18 meters deep into what feels like the belly of the earth itself. I have never saw a place so rich in life and vibrance. Despite its tranquil setting, Lud Church harbours a rich tapestry of folklore and myth, most notably its connection to the medieval tale of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Lud Church is not a church in the traditional sense. Instead, it is a narrow, deep chasm with steep, jagged rock faces blanketed in moss and lichen. The temperature within the crevice remains consistently cooler than the surrounding countryside, and the perpetual sound of dripping water adds to its mystical ambiance. This natural feature has long been considered an otherworldly place, its secluded and foreboding nature capturing the imagination of visitors and storytellers alike.
Lud’s Church: Photo by Patric Rogers
The story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a cornerstone of Arthurian legend. The tale begins when a mysterious Green Knight challenges King Arthur's knights to a beheading game, proposing that any man brave enough to strike him with an axe must allow the Green Knight to return the blow in a year and a day. Sir Gawain accepts the challenge, decapitating the Green Knight, who astonishingly picks up his severed head and reminds Gawain of their pact.
Many believe that Lud Church is the legendary "Green Chapel" where Sir Gawain was destined to face the Green Knight. The location's otherworldly aura and remote setting make it an ideal candidate for the mythical site. The Green Knight, often seen as a supernatural being, and the eerie, almost ethereal qualities of Lud Church intertwine to create a perfect backdrop for this climactic scene.
The Green Of Lud’s Church: Photo by Patric Rogers
The color green in medieval England carried various symbolic meanings, including youth, life, and fertility. The Green Knight himself embodies these traits, presenting a figure that is at once formidable and mystical. Lud Church, with its lush greenery and perpetual coolness, mirrors these attributes, reinforcing the connection between the legend and the location.
Lud Church's history of folklore and its natural, almost otherworldly features have led to it being perceived as a place of supernatural significance. The steep, moss-covered walls and the ever-present sound of dripping water contribute to an atmosphere that feels removed from the mundane world, much like the challenges Sir Gawain faces on his journey to meet the Green Knight.
