New exhibition exploring legacy of Thomas Wolsey to open in Ipswich
'Wolsey's Ipswich opens at The Hold on Friday
A free exhibition is set to open on Friday celebrating one of Ipswich's best known historical names.
Wolsey's Ipswich will look at the legacy of Thomas Wolsey, who rose from humble beginnings in Ipswich to become one of the most powerful men in England in the early 1500s.
It opens at The Hold, the home of Suffolk Archives on Ipswich Waterfront, on Friday.
It forms part of the Thomas Wolsey 550 project, a series of events to mark the 550th year of his birth.
It features treasures from Suffolk’s archives dating from the 16th century all the way up to the present day.
The exhibition includes Wolsey’s original Cardinal hat on loan from Christ Church College, Oxford.
There will also be an original copy of Shakespeare's first folio - a collection of his work - with part of the project looking at how Wolsey is depicted in plays like Henry VIII.
Suffolk County Council Cabinet Member Bobby Bennett said: “This summer we celebrate ‘Wolsey’s Ipswich’ through an exhibition and series of events at The Hold."
"We are thrilled that we have been able to bring together a number of historically significant items from museums and collections across the country to explore the inspiring story of Thomas Wolsey in his hometown.”
Wolsey's Ipswich runs until October 29 at The Hold.