Rye was the the birthplace of Elizabethan playwright John Fletcher, famously known for collaborating with Shakespeare and being a favourite of the Royal Court. Most notably he is remembered in Rye through Fletcher’s House Restaurant in Lion Street, said to be the home of John’s father – the Rev Richard Fletcher.
It was Richard Fletcher who first arrived in Rye 450 years ago and on the August 17 there will be an event to commemorate that arrival. Rev Fletcher was a stern Anglican minister, known for his meanness and high moral attitudes, and through history as having become a favourite of Queen Elizabeth and being in attendance at the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The event involves other local groups and will help us take heritage out into the community, hopefully in an entertaining way. We are joined this year by Rye Players; the Sing It Out mindfulness choir; Ryebellion drummers; the town crier; Father Paul White and St Mary’s church, and the mayor of Rye, Andy Stuart.
Details of the afternoon’s schedule are as follows, maybe you’d even like to don Elizabethan or Tudor costume and take part in the short parades.
- 2:50pm – gather at the Ypres Tower Museum site.
- The event will commence with a rousing performance by Ryebellion outside the tower and a re-enactment of Rev Richard Fletcher’s arrival in town.
- A short procession to the town hall via St Mary’s churchyard pausing at Fletcher’s House where there will be a refreshment stall.
- At the town hall, Rye’s Sing it Out Choir will perform a song written by Henry VIII himself.
- The ensemble will then retreat to St Mary’s church, pausing again at Fletcher’s House to hear of the birth of Shakespeare’s collaborator – John Fletcher.
- In the church we will continue our commemoration with further re-enactments, songs and extracts from Fletcher’s play, The Enchanted Shepherdess, performed by Rye Players.
- The entire event will be led by Rye’s very own town crier.
- Throughout and after the event Fletcher’s House will offer refreshment and an opportunity to tour the magnificent Tudor building – the restaurant will be open for evening meals so why not make an occasion of it and book a table?