A HISTORY enthusiast is behind a plan to “put Dunstable on the medieval map” with a number of activities to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the dedication of the town’s Priory Church.
Celebrations will be held in October 2013 when the well-known landmark reaches eight centuries since its consecration.
Jean Yates is in the process of applying to the National Lottery, on behalf of Dunstable Town Council, for £50,000 towards highlighting the medieval history in the town.
The former town centre manager, who is now chairman of the town guides, told the Gazette: “I’ve suggested that we put in for a lottery grant to do various activities which hopefully will be completed by October 2013.
“We want to do a lot of things that will put Dunstable on the medieval tourist trail.
“We have a hugely important medieval history. We have made it on the Tudor history, we have always shouted about that, but we should look back a little further to the 1100s and 1200s – we’ve never really capitalised on that. It will bring tourist money and help to regenerate the town.”
If the lottery bid is successful, plans include creating a medieval herb garden in Priory Gardens, marking out the foundations of the Augustinian Priory for tours and conducting extensive research into Dunstable’s role during the era.
Jean said: “We had many royal visitors in Dunstable in medieval times.
“We want to research the palace that Henry I built as he stayed in Dunstable for a couple of Christmasses in the 1100s.
“We had a lot of jousting at Henry I’s palace which was on the site where the Old Palace Lodge now stands.
“In front of the palace they used to joust and we know there were 32 recorded joustings in Dunstable. Some there and some down Luton Road by Blow’s Downs. At one of the jousts there were over 3,000 people in the town which meant there were even more horses. Where did they stay? How did we feed them?
“There’s a huge amount more research to be done but we have two years to do it. When we’ve found out all we can about medieval Dunstable, we hope to put some plaques in the town and produce a book.”
But as well as historical buildings and tales, the town also boasts something of international interest.
“We also have some diaries from Prior Morins – the fourth Prior,” said Jean. “He wouldn’t have written them himself, he would have had a scribe, but they are in medieval Latin and they’ve never been translated.
“Professors in London are telling us that these diaries are internationally important.”
To get involved with the lottery bid, or to join in with the activities to mark the anniversary, contact Jean Yates, through Priory House by calling 01582 890270.
