First published in 1590, The Faerie Queene is a classic work of medieval English literature. At over 36,000 lines long, its six books contain one of the longest poems in the English language, believed to be an allegory for the life of Queen Elizabeth I.

Our series starts at the beginning, with Queen Gloriana, the Queene of Faerieland, hosting ‘The Feast of 12 Days’. Spencer describes how on each of these 12 days, The Faerie Queene will listen to appeals for help from her subjects who find themselves in trouble, and on each day she will select a worthy quest and assign it to one of her bravest knights.