St Edmundsbury Cathedral will celebrate the upcoming Coronation of King Charles III with two exhibitions reflecting the monarchy.
The Suffolk Heraldry Exhibition began on May 2 and will run until May 16 providing guided and self-guided tours that highlight the building’s royal connections.
The display prepared by the Suffolk Heraldry Society will showcase the colourful world of royal heraldry.
Visitors will explore the changes in English royal heraldry from just before the Norman conquest to the present day with examples of the arms of the Kings and Queens.
The Suffolk Heraldry Society was founded in 1977 to encourage awareness and interest in heraldry in all its aspects, but mainly in Suffolk.
Alongside the exhibition, the cathedral will display artwork by sculptor Barry Davies from May 4 to May 17.
His work, Bronze Statuary and Sculptures of Historical figures and Depictions of Natural History, includes Saint David, the Patron Saint of Wales, Llywelyn the Great, King Henry V on the coronation throne in Westminster Abbey and Equus, a hunter/thoroughbred type horse.
Mr Davies’ sculptures convey boldness, a dynamic physical presence, and a sense of movement and elegance.
The artist said: "The statues of historical figures allow me to learn not only about the person depicted but also the history of that point in time and the story surrounding that character."
St Edmundsbury Cathedral invites everybody to take part in a self-guided Royal Connections tour in May.
Visitors can use either a printed guide or a digital QR trail, to find all the royal connections in the cathedral, from coats of arms to stained glass windows and much more.
The trail is free of charge and is a great way for new and returning visitors alike to enjoy the cathedral’s art and history.
Guided tours with the cathedral’s knowledgeable visits team, as well as royal-themed tours, will be available on Bank Holiday Mondays, May 8 and 29, and Saturdays, 13, 20, 27 May, bookable at the Cathedral Shop.
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