EILMER, THE FLYING MONK OF MALMESBURY...

 Eilmer, the Flying Monk of Malmesbury…

Fascinated, influenced and motivated 

By the ancient Greek fable

Concerning human flight,

Eilmer, a discerning Benedictine monk,

Scholar and astrologer,

Became consumed by Daedalus’ legendary appetite:

Thus he schemed and sketched at an Abbey table…

Pensive, reflective but proactive,

He revered the ancient Greek tale, 

Captive to his imagination;

Eilmer, the deceptive Benedictine monk,

Innovator, pioneer,

Became obsessed by Daedalus’ foolhardy machination,

Thus he plotted and planned on a practical scale…

Wings perfected

For hands 

And feet,

He climbed

And perched.

Fate was decided.

He jumped

And then glided…

He landed,

Then, stranded

And shaken,

Safety forsaken,

Legs were broken…

Point taken,

Words were unspoken.

Flight not perfected…

Eilmer, hurt, realised,

Exasperated and pale,

That to have glided further,

He would have needed a tail…

Lame, with hopes devastated 

And irretrievably sunk

Eilmer became a legend as 

Malmesbury’s Flying Monk…

Pete Ray

Eilmer was indeed interested in the sky and flight, being recorded as saying, probably of Halley’s Comet, that it had been the: “…source of tears to many mothers…”

He flew about a furlong, around 201 metres apparently but after breaking both legs he admonished himself for not making a tail, which he believed would have carried him further…

His name, 'Eilmer' has also been known as 'Elmer', of course...