Elmer the Flying Monk

Elmer the Flying Monk, a poem for kids by Paul Perro

Elmer had always wanted to fly,
He'd thought it would be fun
Ever since he heard a story of
A man who flew high as the sun.

Elmer gathered some feathers,
Wood, cloth, and other things,
And made himself a lovely pair
Of giant birdman wings.

He told his friends he was going to fly
And they should come and see.
Then he climbed to the top
Of the tower of the local Abbey.

His friends watched as he jumped
And flapped with all his might
And caught a gust of wind
That carried him in flight.

But alas, it did not last very long,
And he landed in some mud.
His friends were very worried
When they heard the crashing thud.

They all rushed over at once
To where poor Elmer lay.
They said “Elmer, are you hurt?”
And he said “I’m okay!

I think I’ll have another go
And this time I won’t fail.
All I really need to do
Is add a nice big tail.”

Inspired by the legend of Icarus, the monk Elmer did manage a short flight from the tower of Malmesbury Abbey in around 1010 AD. He broke both legs when he landed. In later life he used to joke that he should have added a tail.

For more information, see Robert Lacey's excellent account




Back to the Middle Ages from Elmer the flying monk