Joshua Bell (pilgrim)
Encyclopedia
Joshua Bell is a "professional pilgrim
", Tolkienic Scholar and part-time rock musician. On 1 December 2009, he became the youngest pilgrim to travel the modern Via Francigena
from Canterbury
Cathedral to St. Peter's Basilica
.
, Hampshire and was educated at Christ's Hospital
, where he gained A-Levels in German, English Literature and Latin
. Whilst studying he also rose to a leading role in the school's Scout Group
- his main extracurricular interest.
In Michaelmas 2010 Joshua started studying for a B.A.
in Theology at Cliff College
.
. Joshua, under the pseudonym of "The Emperor" was chosen as the lead singer of the band by Gene Simmons
, who said of him: "Either you're a star or you're not. And Emperor, at least in our class, is the star of our class. He's our Rock Star." The band later opened for Motörhead at London's Hammersmith Apollo
with Josh at its head, despite jealousy from other members of the class, most notably the "manager", Rodney, widely regarded by his peers as the only logical choice for lead singer..
The show was shown in the UK on Channel 4
, premièring at 9.30 pm on Friday 30 September 2005.
and, more recently, Rob Gauntlett
and James Hooper
(both of whom he had been at school with), as well as his own Christian
faith, Joshua undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. After a month of travelling, largely by public transport, to various sites of pilgrimage across the North and Midlands of England (beginning at Cartmel Priory
), he left Canterbury Cathedral
and took the Via Francigena
to Rome. The journey from Canterbury took him 78 days. Although not all of the journey was done on foot (for example, the Great St Bernard Pass was closed), upon his arrival on 1 December 2009, he became the youngest pilgrim to tread the Via Francigena in modern times.
Joshua's account of the pilgrimage, "Let Him Come Hither", was published in early 2011.
A further pilgrimage, following the ancient "Pilgrim's Way" from Winchester
to Canterbury
is expected to take place in the summer of 2011. For this pilgrimage Joshua will be assembling a group of people to walk. It is this and a series of other expected pilgrimages (including one from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostella in 2015 and a pilgrimage to Jerusalem by 2025) that has coined Joshua the nickname of a 'professional' pilgrim.
. His theological passions are Ecumenism
(inspiring his decision to walk from the heart of the Anglican Church to the heart of the Roman Catholic Church
) and the role of religion in education, most notably the role of school chaplaincy.
Pilgrim
A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Typically, this is a physical journeying to some place of special significance to the adherent of a particular religious belief system...
", Tolkienic Scholar and part-time rock musician. On 1 December 2009, he became the youngest pilgrim to travel the modern Via Francigena
Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is an ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, passing through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. In mediaeval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route...
from Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
Cathedral to St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter , officially known in Italian as ' and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within the Vatican City. Saint Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world...
.
Early life and education
Joshua was born in PortsmouthPortsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, Hampshire and was educated at Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital
Christ's Hospital is an English coeducational independent day and boarding school with Royal Charter located in the Sussex countryside just south of Horsham in Horsham District, West Sussex, England...
, where he gained A-Levels in German, English Literature and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
. Whilst studying he also rose to a leading role in the school's Scout Group
Scout Group
The Scout Group is the local organisation for Scouting in most countries where it is active. It combines together the different sections into a single body. Scout Groups can consist of any number of sections in the different Age Groups in Scouting and Guiding...
- his main extracurricular interest.
In Michaelmas 2010 Joshua started studying for a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Theology at Cliff College
Cliff College
Cliff College is a Christian theological college in Calver, Derbyshire, that teaches Biblical Theology at undergraduate level and a number of mission courses to postgraduates. There are currently about 60 full-time undergraduates, 40 part-time undergraduates and 100 part-time postgraduates...
.
Rock School
In October 2004 Joshua was one of ten students chosen to take part in the TV series Rock SchoolRock School
Rock School is a British reality TV series starring Gene Simmons , in which he has a short time to turn a class of school children into a fully fledged rock band, at the end of which they must perform in a supporting slot for a leading rock band.Rock School is made by British production company...
. Joshua, under the pseudonym of "The Emperor" was chosen as the lead singer of the band by Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons
Gene Simmons is an Israeli-American entrepreneur, singer-songwriter, actor, and rock bassist. Known as "The Demon", he is the bassist/vocalist of Kiss, a hard rock band he co-founded in the early 1970s.-Early life:...
, who said of him: "Either you're a star or you're not. And Emperor, at least in our class, is the star of our class. He's our Rock Star." The band later opened for Motörhead at London's Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo
Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainment venue located in Hammersmith, London. Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, being re-named the Hammersmith Odeon in 1962...
with Josh at its head, despite jealousy from other members of the class, most notably the "manager", Rodney, widely regarded by his peers as the only logical choice for lead singer..
The show was shown in the UK on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
, premièring at 9.30 pm on Friday 30 September 2005.
Pilgrimage
In 2009, inspired by the journeys of Patrick Leigh FermorPatrick Leigh Fermor
Sir Patrick "Paddy" Michael Leigh Fermor, DSO, OBE was a British author, scholar and soldier, who played a prominent role behind the lines in the Cretan resistance during World War II. He was widely regarded as "Britain's greatest living travel writer", with books including his classic A Time of...
and, more recently, Rob Gauntlett
Rob Gauntlett
Rob Gauntlett was an English adventurer, explorer and motivational speaker. In 2006 he became the youngest British climber to summit Everest.-Early life:...
and James Hooper
James Hooper
James Hooper, in 2006, became one of the youngest Britons to climb Mount Everest, along with his school friend Rob Gauntlett. In November 2008 James and Rob were awarded with the National Geographic Adventurers of the Year prize for their expedition from the North Geomagnetic Pole to the South...
(both of whom he had been at school with), as well as his own Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
faith, Joshua undertook a pilgrimage to Rome. After a month of travelling, largely by public transport, to various sites of pilgrimage across the North and Midlands of England (beginning at Cartmel Priory
Cartmel Priory
Cartmel Priory is the parish church of Cartmel, Cumbria . The priory was founded in 1190 by William Marshal, later 1st Earl of Pembroke for the Augustinian Canons and dedicated to Saint Mary the Virgin and Saint Michael. It was first colonised by a Prior and twelve monks from Bradenstoke Priory in...
), he left Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
and took the Via Francigena
Via Francigena
The Via Francigena is an ancient road between Rome and Canterbury, passing through England, France, Switzerland and Italy. In mediaeval times it was an important road and pilgrimage route...
to Rome. The journey from Canterbury took him 78 days. Although not all of the journey was done on foot (for example, the Great St Bernard Pass was closed), upon his arrival on 1 December 2009, he became the youngest pilgrim to tread the Via Francigena in modern times.
Joshua's account of the pilgrimage, "Let Him Come Hither", was published in early 2011.
A further pilgrimage, following the ancient "Pilgrim's Way" from Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
to Canterbury
Canterbury
Canterbury is a historic English cathedral city, which lies at the heart of the City of Canterbury, a district of Kent in South East England. It lies on the River Stour....
is expected to take place in the summer of 2011. For this pilgrimage Joshua will be assembling a group of people to walk. It is this and a series of other expected pilgrimages (including one from Canterbury to Santiago de Compostella in 2015 and a pilgrimage to Jerusalem by 2025) that has coined Joshua the nickname of a 'professional' pilgrim.
Personal life
Joshua is a Christian and a member of the Church of EnglandChurch of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
. His theological passions are Ecumenism
Ecumenism
Ecumenism or oecumenism mainly refers to initiatives aimed at greater Christian unity or cooperation. It is used predominantly by and with reference to Christian denominations and Christian Churches separated by doctrine, history, and practice...
(inspiring his decision to walk from the heart of the Anglican Church to the heart of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
) and the role of religion in education, most notably the role of school chaplaincy.