William Blake’s dilapidated seaside cottage in England, where he wrote the poem that later became the hymn “Jerusalem,” is set for restoration. Thanks to joint efforts by three charities—the Foulerton Charitable Trust, the Foyle Foundation, and the World Monuments Fund Britain—the house, located in West Sussex, southern England, will be protected. The World Monuments Fund Britain recognizes Blake’s cottage as a site of literary memory with national and international significance.
The urgent restoration work will begin with replacing the failing thatched roof, which is currently on the brink of collapse. The estimated cost for this crucial repair, including rotting timber rafters, is £175,000 ($229,300). Once structurally sound, the cottage will be transformed into a museum by 2027, recreating its 19th-century appearance. Exciting features may include a replica of Blake’s printing machine and holograms of Blake and his wife Catherine.
It’s truly heartwarming to see Bruce Dickinson, the frontman of Iron Maiden, stepping up to support the preservation of William Blake’s cottage. Dickinson’s passion for the visionary artist and his willingness to auction Iron Maiden memorabilia and perform a fundraising concert are commendable. This initiative marks an essential first step toward revitalizing the building—a living tribute to Blake and his art, long overdue in the land of his birth and inspiration.
William Blake’s connection to the cottage is profound. During his three years there with Catherine, he penned the poem “And did those feet in ancient time,” which later inspired the hymn “Jerusalem.” Sir Hubert Parry’s music, composed in 1916, accompanies this powerful anthem—an “unofficial” national song for England. Interestingly, England lacks an official national anthem, occasionally using “God Save the King” during international football events.
Blake joins a distinguished list of English authors whose homes have become public museums, including Jane Austen, William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, and the Brontë sisters. Notably, in 2014, Blake’s studio was meticulously recreated at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Sayart / Amia Nguyen, amyngwyen13@gmail.com
