2027: The European Year of the Normans

2027 is the millennium of William the Conqueror's birth 

Planning has started for massive international celebrations, involving the British Council, the Institut Français, and organisations from across the wide area of Europe over which the Normans exercised their influence throughout the Middle Ages. 

The voice of Norwich is represented by the City Council and the Forum; Triorca; Marion Catlin; Prof Trevor Davies and Gennadiy Ivanov of the Climate Change and Art projects who created the Norwich Mural in the City Hall council chamber. 

It is very much hoped that Norfolk Museums and the Cathedral will also be involved. Norwich Castle has now opened its renovated keep. After a tumultuous history the keep has now been restored to how it would have looked in the days of Henry I, the second son of William the Conqueror and the third Norman king of England.

At the national level, the Bayeux Tapestry will be loaned to the British Museum while its home museum is being redesigned. In exchange, items from the Sutton Hoo collection will be loaned to museums in Normandy.  

Also being suggested are events in Normandy, to include folk dancing, choirs, orchestras, pétanque! There is hope that Norwich junior football clubs might join Rouen footballers for an international tournament in Normandy involving also other Norman-related countries – where they came from and where they went: Norway, Sweden, Ireland, Italy (Sicily)... 

NNRFA has prepared its own leaflet about the 2027 celebrations (snapshot below), with a focus on the junior football tournament. You can read the full leaflet here.

Image: Duke William and his two half-brothers, Odo and Robert, pictured  on the Bayeux Tapestry. Photo in the public domain.