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Ipswich pub celebrates Thomas Wolsey's 550th birthday

Shannon Eustace/BBC Two large brown horses pulling a cart on which a man in Tudor dress is sittingShannon Eustace/BBC
"Thomas Wolsey" makes an entrance with the help of two Suffolk Punch horses

A night of celebrations of one of the key figures of sixteenth-century England has been held.

Thomas Wolsey, played by historian Phil Roberts, arrived by dray horse and cart at The Thomas Wolsey pub in Ipswich, Suffolk.

A special beer was brewed for the celebration and entertainment was provided on period instruments.

The Tudor-themed event was organised by the pub, which is close to Wolsey's birthplace, and the Wolsey 550 group.

Shannon Eustace/BBC Man with small beard wearing Tudor tunic and hatShannon Eustace/BBC
Damon Jeffery, Landlord of the Thomas Wolsey, said getting involved with the celebration was a "no brainer"

Damon Jeffery, the landlord of The Thomas Wolsey, said it was natural that the pub in St Peter's Street should take part in the celebrations.

"It's a Tudor building, parts of it are Grade I listed, and it's called The Thomas Wolsey, so it was a no-brainer to think 'let's get involved, let's build up the street' because the street is amazing, it's a Tudor street so close to where Thomas Wolsey started".

His highlight was two Suffolk Punch horses which pulled the cart containing the Briarbank Brewery Wolsey 550 beer and Mr Roberts.

Mr Jeffery said: "The horses are just so impressive and being endangered as well, it's great to have that Suffolk community base with the horses and just to see them set off was amazing."

Tudor music was played, Christmas carols were sung and the Ipswich Gilbert and Sullivan Society put in an appearance.

Shannon Eustace/BBC Woman in red Tudor dress plays wind instrumentShannon Eustace/BBC
Volunteers came along in costume to play authentic Tudor instruments
Shannon Eustace/BBC Two men in Tudor costume, one with a recorder and one with a drumShannon Eustace/BBC
The Ipswich Waits provided some of the authentic Tudor music

Thomas Wolsey was born in Ipswich in 1473 and attended Ipswich School.

When Henry VIII became King of England, Wolsey was appointed as King's Almoner, before becoming Lord Chancellor and assuming the role of chief adviser to the King.

He fell out of favour and was due to be charged with treason but died of natural causes in 1530.

Shannon Eustace/BBC Woman with long light-coloured hair wearing a Tudor dress and shawlShannon Eustace/BBC
Erica Burrows from the Friends of Ipswich Museums donned Tudor costume for the occasion
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