Tongues Of Flame

How does a Catholic church in Mortlake come to have a mausoleum in the form of a Bedouin tent? Renowned storyteller Giles Abbott tells his story of the remarkable Victorian explorer, writer, poet and swordsman, Richard F Burton.

Renowned storyteller Giles Abbott shares his story of the locally buried Richard F Burton; explorer, writer, poet, linguist, swordsman, Arabist and spy. Burton’s mausoleum in Mortlake is in the form of a Bedouin tent. Amongst many things Burton led the expedition that led to discovery of the source of the Nile, translated the Karma Sutra and was the first non-European to complete the Haj (pilgrimage to Mecca). A cracking story which bristles with energy, daring and plenty of jolts!