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Thomas Wolsey's cardinal's hat to be Ipswich exhibition centrepiece

Getty Images Thomas WolseyGetty Images
Born in Ipswich in 1473, Wolsey rose to become one of the most powerful men in the country

A procession and a fanfare using trumpets last played for the King's Coronation have been laid on for the arrival... of a red hat.

The hat in question once belonged to Thomas Wolsey and will be the centrepiece of a new exhibition in Ipswich.

Born in Ipswich in 1473, Wolsey rose to become one of the most powerful men in the country under Henry VIII.

The cardinal's hat has been loaned by a University of Oxford college.

Thomas Wolsey Project 550 The red hatThomas Wolsey Project 550
The wide-brimmed hat will be on show as part of the Wolsey's Ipswich exhibition, which opens on Friday at The Hold and runs until 29 October
Ipswich mayor Lynne Mortimer and an actor dressed as Thomas Wolsey welcomed a replica of the hat

The Thomas Wolsey Project 550 will see a number of events held across 550 days into autumn 2024.

The wide-brimmed hat will be on show as part of the "Wolsey's Ipswich" exhibition, which opens on Friday at The Hold and runs until 29 October.

The mayor, local school children and an actor dressed as Wolsey welcomed a replica of the hat to Ipswich, before a parade to The Hold.

Getty Images Thomas WolseyGetty Images
Wolsey had to wait three years after he was made a cardinal to receive the hat from Rome
Stuart Howells/BBC Replica of Wolsey's hat outside The HoldStuart Howells/BBC
The original Wolsey's hat will be on show at The Hold

Wolsey had to wait three years after he was made a cardinal to receive the hat from Rome in 1518, and it is now owned by Christ Church college.

The cardinal served as Henry VIII's Lord Chancellor until he fell out of favour following the king's split with the Roman Catholic church.

Terry Hunt, chairman of the Wolsey 550 project, said: "We are really excited about the hat coming to Ipswich.

"It is rarely lent for display, and this is the first time it has ever visited Wolsey's hometown.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for people from Ipswich, Suffolk and much further afield to see this unique symbol of Wolsey's amazing story.

"We are very grateful to Christ Church for the generous loan."

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