In pictures: Cardinal Thomas Wolsey statue unveiled in Ipswich
- Published
A crowd gathered at the junction of St Nicholas Street, St Peter's Street and Silent Street in Ipswich for the unveiling of a statue of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
Dr John Blatchly and the mayor help to unveil the statue on Curson Plain.
The inscription on the base of the statue reads: "Born Ipswich 1470 or 1471. Died Leicester 1530. Cardinal, archbishop, lord chancellor and teacher who believed that pleasure should mingle with study so that the child may think learning an amusement rather than a toil."
Actor turned Suffolk New College lecturer Brian Theodore Ralph dressed up as Cardinal Wolsey for a procession from St Mary le Tower church to the statue.
The statue is 10% larger than life size. Dr John Blatchly is the chairman of the Patrons of the Cardinal Thomas Wolsey Appeal, while sculptor David Annand was chosen from a field of 50 to produce the artwork.
A cat clings to Wolsey's robes. Dr Blatchly said the Cardinal was a cat-lover who had one at his side most of the time, including in formal meetings.
The Ipswich Waits trio of Tudor musicians processed through the town. Mike Hamilton-Macy is the drummer while Elizabeth Gutteridge and Adrian Lush play soprano and alto shawms - precursors of the oboe.
Wolsey's Gate is all that remains of Cardinal's College of Saint Mary, which Wolsey started building in 1528 with the aim of rivalling Oxford and Cambridge universities. St Peter's church was the college chapel.
Cardinal Wolsey served as King Henry VIII's chief minister for the early part of his reign.
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- Published29 June 2011
