In the summer of 1928 John Trevelyan visited Thetford in Norfolk originally to study the many churches in the area. During his travels he became acquainted with a Martin Simon Flood the son of The Reverend Robert Flood who was the vicar of St Cuthbert’s Church in Thetford between 1861 and 1879. His son noted that his father was a minor poet but had instructed that all his works be destroyed upon his death.

When the Reverend Flood died in 1882 this instruction was carried out. However one of his notebooks although badly burnt survived and was given to Trevelyan so that he might record or even construct a poem from the fragments. This poem was called Thetford Bridge.

The poem was about King Edmund who was the King of East Anglia at the time of the Danish invasion in 871. After losing a battle against the Danes, Edmund went into hiding but was discovered under a stone bridge when a newly married couple spotted the reflection of his elaborate gilt spurs in the waters of the river.

Out of fear but more likely to gain favour with the Danes they reported his position and Edmund was captured   

Thetford Bridge

The newly married walked in the light of the new moon

They dreamt of their children playing in the fields

That surrounded them __________

_________________________Edmund grieved for his soldiers