The Norman Connections Project

Project Outline

The Norman Connections Project is a cross-border network which brings together professionals representing Norman heritage sites and associated tourism services in the south of and in Normandy, France.

The partners represent: • Norwich • (lead partner) • Castle • Hastings Castle • Caen Castle • Falaise Castle • Bayeux Tapestry Museum • Calvados Tourism Department • Calvados Regional Council

The project is being funded through the INTERREG IVA France (Channel) - England programme and will run until December 2013.

The key aims of the project are to build upon strong historical, physical and cultural links between England and France, and to promote and develop Norman heritage site interpretation through better academic understanding and the sharing of experience and best practice.

The Norman Connections partnership is embraced within the wider Norwich development project. The budget allocated to Norwich Castle will enable us to research the architecture of our magnificent Norman Keep, improve existing displays and explore new and exciting methods of display (focussing on the Norman and Medieval periods).

Our Aims Overall

• Promote the Norman Connections partnership and the partners’ sites, projects and activities. • Promote the overall Keep development project through our ‘Keep Vision’. • Create major new Medieval displays in the Keep including innovative light displays, enhance the Bigod tower and chapel areas and create replica Norman interiors such as furniture, furnishings and hangings. • Promote ‘Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England’, a Norwich Castle - British Museum partnership (sharing expertise and curatorial knowledge, uniting important medieval collections through object loans and making significant historical artefacts accessible to new audiences).

Key Events, Activities and Timescales

• Norman Connections Conference (17 th and 18 th May 2012) • Launch of the Norman Connections website (Summer 2012) • Virtual Experience project (Spring 2013) • Development of displays and improved interpretation, in the context of Norman partnership sites (Spring 2013 and beyond)

Desired Outcomes from Norman Connections

• Increased knowledge of the history of our Norman Keep (through researching architectural similarities at Falaise Castle) • Development of a storyline using real researched historical figures, to be told through the new Keep displays • Increased knowledge of Norman power, architecture and culture • A better understanding of Norwich and Norfolk in the context of life in medieval England (through the study of other castles) • Object-rich, innovative, awe-inspiring medieval Keep displays which maximise the magnificent space in the Keep and excite all types of visitors • Forming and sustaining partnerships with other Norman heritage site networks and possible creation of a Norman heritage trail in Norfolk • Increased visitor figures (for all partner sites but especially at Norwich Castle)