From wrecks to riches
Two major exhibitions have been announced: one set to open at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery later this month, and the latest British Museum blockbuster, which will open in May.
In Norwich, The Last Voyage of the Gloucester: Norfolk’s Royal Shipwreck, 1682 will showcase artefacts from a 17th-century warship whose discovery was revealed last year (CA 389). The Gloucester sank off the Norfolk coast in 1682 while carrying the future James VII and II to Scotland, and due to the age and prestige of the ship, the condition of the wreck, and its political context, it has been compared to the Mary Rose in significance.
The immersive exhibition, which runs from 25 February until 10 September, will feature research from the University of East Anglia and cutting-edge digital elements. The first section explores the ship’s history, life on board, and the events leading to her loss, while the second concerns the wreck’s discovery and conservation of its objects. Visitors will see artefacts including the Gloucester’s bell (which held the key to identifying the wreck) as well as navigational tools, barnacle-encrusted bottles, and personal possessions belonging to passengers and crew. For more details, see www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk/norwich-castle/whats-on/exhibitions/last-voyage-of-the-gloucester.
