Michael Smith is a British translator and linocut illustrator of Middle English alliterative romances. We will be celebrating the launch of his new illustrated translation of the fourteenth century poem The Romance of William and the Werewolf (Unbound). This the third in his series of illustrated translations of Middle English alliterative romances, after Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and The Alliterative Morte Arthure.

As well as reading passages from his new book, Michael will also entertain us with short readings in Middle English (and even Old French) to give us a flavour of how our ancestors enjoyed poetry nearly 700 years ago.

Born in Warrington, Cheshire, Michael is currently studying for his PhD at the University of York, where he is conducting research into the translation, performance and effective modern representation of late medieval Middle English stanzaic poetry. He lives in Ware.

The first half of this event will be open mic, so please feel free to bring and read a poem in a friendly and welcoming space.

Tickets on the door: £5; £3 for students under 24; Free to ages 18 and under.