MEDIAEVAL SUFFOLK
Timber-framed, jettied houses abound round the peaceful Suffolk village greens and ponds. As the tide of commerce and manufacturing flowed north and west in the Industrial Revolution it left many of these villages untouched. From our base at the Bull Hotel in Long Melford we will explore where the wool trade thrived in the Middle Ages, visit a handful of the 500 mediaeval churches found in Suffolk and look out to sea from a port that once rivalled London.
Bury St Edmunds was an important mediaeval town that became a major 19th century industrial centre. The substantial ruins of the Abbey, which was one of the largest and wealthiest medieval monasteries, sit next to the Cathedral, much rebuilt in the late 1800s.
On the second day we will compare and contrast two important castles at Orford and Framlingham. Orford Castle was built by Henry II to defend invasions, primarily those from foreign mercenaries hired by aggressive East Anglian barons such as Hugh Bigod of Framlingham. Framlingham Castle, only 13 miles way, was built by the son of Henry’s adversary, Roger Bigod first Earl of Norfolk. The castle boasts a wall walk round its defences with panoramic views of the surrounding terrain. Today the threat is more from the sea itself rather than the invaders it can carry. Before Dunwich was swallowed by the sea it was a mediaeval metropolis with 8 churches, 80 ships, 5 religious orders and prosperity to rival London from its trade in wool, grain, fish and furs. Its decline is well recorded in the museum and there are evocative ruins of the leper chapel and priory.
Our tour of villages also features Lavenham, one of the best preserved mediaeval towns in England with a wealth of timber framed buildings. A market town since 1257 it has a stunning market place and Guildhall built for the Guild of Corpus Christi and now a museum.
This beautiful timbered house built for a wealthy wool merchant in 1450 had become the Bull Hotel by 1580. Its ancient history is evident everywhere, massive moulded oak beams dominate reception and there are wooden rafters, carvings, open fireplaces and period furniture throughout.
This tour will be led by Mary Dicken, MA (Oxon), DipEd, former head of history at a leading Cambridge independent school and lecturer for the WEA and U3A.
Itinerary
Day 1Tour assembles 1300 at the Bull Hotel, Long Melford. Bury St Edmunds: Cathedral and Abbey, 12th century Guildhall and building once used in the 1400s as a spinning house. Evening talk: Mediaeval Wool Trade.
Day 2Orford Castle (excellent display of woodwose carvings on the church font), Dunwich, Blythburgh (perpendicular church which dominates the marshes around), Framlingham Castle. Evening talk: Great Families of Suffolk.
Day 3Hadleigh, Polstead (church built in 1160 with fine Norman arches), Boxford (church boasts a 14th century wooden porch and grand 15th century porch), Kersey (varied mediaeval architectural styles), Lavenham. Tour disperses 1700 at hotel.
Cost includes: accommodation based on sharing a twin or double bedded room, drinks reception, breakfast & dinner, excursions & admissions (except EH & NT properties for non members).
Not included: travel insurance, supplement for double/twin as single use £25.
