There is an Animal That is Called an Elephant

This event is taking place in the Pusey Room at Keble College, Oxford, OX1 3PG.

Research presentation by Dr Alexandra Paddock and sharing of a work-in-progress exploring the life and times of Henry III’s elephant through music, puppetry and text.

In 1254, King Henry III of England received an extraordinary gift from King Louis IX of France — an elephant.

There is an Animal That is Called an Elephant is a work-in-progress performance inspired by this moment. Drawing on Dr Alexandra Paddock’s research into medieval eco-criticism and the imaginative world of bestiaries, it explores the life of this elephant through music, puppetry and spoken word.

This event will begin with a 20 min research talk by Dr Alexandra Paddock, followed by a sharing of the work-in-progress and a brief Q&A with Alexandra Paddock, Cheryl Frances-Hoad (composer), Tobi Poster-Su (puppeteer), Tom Poster (pianist) and Kate Wakeling (writer).

Development support by the Schwarzman Centre Cultural Programme, University of Oxford.

Image credit: ‘Henry III’s Elephant’ by Matthew Paris, Chronica maiora, Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 16, f. ivr.
(Reprinted with permission of the Parker Library, Corpus Christi College, via CC-licence).