The Mediaeval Baebes

The Mediaeval Baebes exquisite storybook opened its pages in 1996 when a group of friends broke into a North London cemetery and sang together, clad in flowing white gowns and crowns of Ivy.

Conceptualised by Katharine Blake, formally of Miranda Sex Garden, the initial idea of getting a few friends together to sing for fun quickly escalated into the many headed beast and epic adventure that is this most unique of musical ensembles.

Sourcing lyrics from mediaeval and romantic texts and setting them to original scores using mediaeval and folk instruments, whilst singing in an impressive array of obscure and ancient languages, the Baebes offered a beguiling musical beauty and outstanding talent. Their choice of mediaeval texts were mythological, philosophical and dark in topic meditating upon the inevitability of death, the pointlessness of material possessions, the agony of unrequited love or the dangers of imbibing too much alcohol! Some themes are timeless!

Seventeen years and many incarnations later, these fair maidens have placed three albums into the top of the classical charts and contributed to the BBC production of The Virgin Queen which resulted in an Ivor Novello Award 2007 for best television soundtrack.

The Mediaeval Baebes have performed before awe-struckaudiences in the UK, United States, Canada, Asia and Europe in venues ranging from castles and caves to nightclubs and cathedrals. They have toured with Jools Holland and played at the Royal Albert Hall, Carnglaze Caverns in Cornwall, Jersey Opera House, Tewkesbury Abbey, supported Michael Flatley in Hyde Park, and performed at the legendary Lilith Fayre.

Their most recent album “Of Kings and Angels” showcases a celestial collection of Christmas Carols innovatively arranged for your seasonal delight …

Line-up:

Katharine Blake

Emily Alice Ovenden

Clare Marika Edmondson

Josephine Ravenheart

Melpomeni Kermanidou

Sophie Ramsay

Anna Tam

The Mediaeval Baebes - Discography

Salva Nos (1997)

Worldes Blysse (1998)

Undrentide (2000)

The Rose (2002)

Mirabilis (2005)

Illumination (2008)

Temptation (2010)

The Huntress (2012)

Of Kings & Angels (2013)