Picture credit: Nick Tipping.
Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (1473-1530) was born in Ipswich to a modest family. Serving alongside King Henry VIII, he became England’s most powerful statesman. His influence on politics, law and religion show anything is possible.
An ambitious project is running to celebrate 550 years since his birth. The Society has made a donation of £550 towards this project. Thomas Wolsey 550 aims to:
- Create a new legacy for Thomas Wolsey, both locally and nationally
- Promote greater social mobility in Ipswich
- Increase public awareness of the town’s heritage and develop a greater sense of pride
- Create and highlight opportunities for children and young people
A programme of activities will take place for 550 days. The finale is in September 2024. It includes the Wolsey’s Ipswich exhibition at The Hold, home of Suffolk Archives. We received an invitation to the exhibition’s launch event (pictured). An exhibition highlight is Wolsey’s cardinal’s hat, on loan from Christ Church, in Oxford. On show, too, are photos from 1930, when the people of Ipswich marked 400 years since Wolsey’s death
The event can be seen on the project’s website.
