The Rattlesden Figurine, late 12th C. Jointly owned with the Ipswich Museum, Suffolk
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Men of the cloth: A legacy of wealth 1066 - 1539
The Medieval period saw west Suffolk at its wealthiest and most influential, with the abbey of St Edmund holding sway until its dissolution in 1539. Similarly, the widespread woollen industry brought great prosperity until it too lost its ascendancy in the 16th century. Much of the architectural legacy that gives West Suffolk its special character is due to these influences. Several examples of the Medieval wood carver's skills, when working for a wealthy patron, are on display. These include both architectural fragments and some furnishings of the period. Personal possessions, from shoe buckles to daggers, help throw light on the fashions and the fears that shaped everyday life.
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