The free summer exhibition Wolsey’s Ipswich is on until 29 October at The Hold on Ipswich Waterfront and explores the legacy of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The exhibition forms a key part of the Thomas Wolsey 550 project, a programme of events and activities planned to celebrate the 550th anniversary of Wolsey’s birth across Ipswich.
Curated by the team at Suffolk Archives, a Suffolk County Council service, the exhibition includes items from Suffolk’s own archive collections, as well as items on loan from organisations across the country.
Made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ipswich Central and Ipswich Borough Council, the exhibition will explore the legacy of Thomas Wolsey, re-connecting him with his hometown and examining his position on the world stage.
Born and raised in Ipswich, Wolsey rose from humble beginnings to become the most powerful man in England, working alongside King Henry VIII. The Wolsey’s Ipswich exhibition will unearth a story of ambition, aspiration, determination, and the possibility for anyone to succeed.
The exhibition features archive treasures from Suffolk’s collections dating from the 16th century to the present day, as well as some significant loaned exhibits, including Wolsey’s original Cardinal hat, on loan from Christ Church College, Oxford.
Having finally been made a Cardinal by the Pope in 1515 following a long campaign, Wolsey was made to wait three years to receive this badge of honour from Rome and arranged a grand procession for it through the streets of London.
The exhibition will also include a First Folio of Shakespeare’s collected plays on loan from Cambridge University. Published in 1623, this year marks the 400th anniversary of the first printed collection of Shakespeare’s work and we are delighted to be able to join in with the Folio 400 celebrations.
The exhibition will look at how Wolsey has been depicted throughout history including within Shakespeare’s play Henry VIII which covers part of Henry’s reign and depicts elements of Wolsey’s rise and fall. The final section of the exhibition will be dedicated to building a sense of aspiration for local young people, taking Wolsey’s experiences as a starting point.
Suitable for all ages, the exhibition offers a unique opportunity to come and explore the complex and inspiring story of Ipswich’s most famous son.
Exhibition opening times are 10am-12:30pm and 1pm–4pm Monday to Friday, with late opening until 9pm on Thursdays. 10am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.
You can book free tickets for the Wolsey’s Ipswich exhibition by visiting the Suffolk Archives website. Alternatively, just turn up and depending on the capacity of the exhibition gallery you will be admitted as soon as possible.
