The exhibition, 'Edmund and The Great Heathen Army', which explores the life, death, and legend of King Edmund, has been extended by West Suffolk Council. Originally scheduled to close earlier this month, the exhibition will now run until the end of February 2027 following popular demand.
Over 10,000 people, including more than 1,000 students from local schools, have visited the exhibition to learn about the story of Edmund, the King of East Anglia who was killed by Vikings in 869 AD. The exhibition details the legend of his capture, refusal to renounce his faith, subsequent martyrdom by arrows, decapitation, and his head being guarded by a wolf.
The exhibition features a re-creation of St Edmund’s gold tomb, created by Andy Stubbs of Scenic Productions, and decorated by Nick Holmes, a West End theatre scenery artist. Visitors can also view the relic banner of St Edmund, created with support from Dr Rebecca Pinner, Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia.
The exhibition has received funding from West Suffolk Council (£9,000), Bury St Edmunds Town Council (£3,900), the Bury Society (£3,450), and the Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum (£300). This initiative aligns with the 'Abbey of St Edmund Reborn' project, a £9.83-million-pound National Lottery Heritage funded scheme planned for late 2026 to late 2029, which aims to enhance the Abbey site.
Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council, stated, “Over 1,000 years after his life and death, the story of Edmund remains such an important part of our cultural heritage. We are delighted to have the support of our exhibition partners and other museums who we have loaned pieces from, to extend the Edmund exhibition into 2027.”
The 'Edmund and The Great Heathen Army' exhibition will run alongside two other displays: 'Crime and punishment', examining historical witchcraft trials in Bury St Edmunds, and 'Things that go bump', opening on 24 October, which explores the evolution of scary stories.
