"Do poetry and criticism matter in today's world? " "How can the poetry of the past help us tackle thechanging nature of religious faith and national identity? " This book explores the creation of "Redcrosse," a new poetic liturgy for St George's Day and a unique collaborative workwritten by the critic Ewan Fernie, the theologian Andrew Shanks and the majorcontemporary poets Jo Shapcott, Michael Symmons Roberts and Andrew Motion.Leading writers - including John Milbank, Salley Vickers and Sarah Apetrei, togetherwith authors of "Redcrosse" itself - reflect on the creation of the liturgy and its centralinspiration, Edmund Spenser's epic Renaissance poem, "The Faerie Queene," as well as on its two premieres in St George's Chapel, Windsor and ManchesterCathedral, and its sometimes controversial public reception. Including the full text of "Redcrosse," thevolume triumphantly shows that a new poetic work really can address some of themost pressing concerns of our time.