
Back to Blogs
Discover
Costumes for Historic Characters Revealed
Two characters from Bury St Edmunds history have been brought to life thanks to a partnership between Bury St Edmunds and Beyond and Bury St Edmunds Guildhall.
Costumes for Edmund and Mary
Actress Hatty Ashton as Mary Tudor with volunteers from Bury St Edmunds Guildhall who made the costumes.
Bury St Edmunds and Beyond – the town’s tourism brand – wanted to create authentic costumes for arguably the town’s most famous characters – Saint Edmund and Mary Tudor, Queen of France – ahead of the Abbey of St Edmund’s 1000-year anniversary.
Volunteer costumers from Bury St Edmunds Guildhall sprung into action and have spent hours recreating costumes for Saint Edmund and Mary Tudor.
The costumes will be used in tourism photo shoots and at events in the town for next year’s Abbey of St Edmund 1,000 anniversary celebrations.
They will also go on display at Bury St Edmunds Guildhall at various times in the year (see the Bury St Edmunds Guildhall website for opening times)

Sue Warren, Brand and Marketing Manager for Bury St Edmunds and Beyond, said: “The costumes created by the volunteers at Bury St Edmunds Guildhall have exceeded my wildest expectations. They are absolutely beautiful and look authentic. The volunteers have spent many hours researching and making both costumes, much of which has been stitched by hand.
“The costumes will be able to be used in photos, events and in exhibitions in the town for years to come and we are so grateful to the volunteers for all their hard work.”

Bury St Edmunds takes its name from King Edmund, the original Patron Saint of England and King of East Anglia, whose shrine at the Abbey of St Edmund was once one of the most famous and wealthy pilgrimage sites in England. While Mary Tudor, Queen of France, was Henry VIII's favourite sister.
Mary died, aged 37, at Westhorpe Hall, Suffolk, on 25 June 1533 and she was first buried at the Abbey of St Edmund on July 21 1533 but when the abbey was dissolved her remains were moved five years later in 1538 to St Mary’s Church, Bury St Edmunds. You can find her very simple tomb to the north side of the altar.
Marilyn Lee, Trustee of Bury St Edmunds Guildhall and organiser of the volunteer costumers, said: “The Guildhall costume team really rose to the challenge and have produced wonderful results. My role was merely as a facilitator, as the team members are all so skilled, it has been a pleasure to watch these costumes coming to life in their hands.”
Related Blogs

News
Abbey Gardens in Top 20 Most…
The historic Abbey Gardens in Bury St Edmunds with…
News
Abbey Project Awarded…
The project aims to conserve and protect the ruins;…

News
Cycle the Wolf Way
Winding its way around many of the best bridleways,…

News
360° Degree Vikings
The Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers Landscape Partnership…

News
Celebrate St Edmund's Day on…
St Edmund's Day is celebrated around the world every…
Latest news

News
Easter Days Out in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond
As Easter approaches, Bury St Edmunds and its surrounding areas are brimming with events and activities perfect for families and individuals alike.

News
Discover More About the Region’s Most Important but Forgotten Battle
Visitors can now discover more about the Battle of Fornham, the region’s most important but forgotten battle, thanks to new interpretation at the site.

News
A Walk In The Woods
5 places for a relaxing forest or woodland walk in Bury St Edmunds and Beyond!

News
6 Things You May Not Know About The Athenaeum
From visits from Charles Dickens to a hidden Victorian observatory, The Athenaeum is an iconic building in Bury St Edmunds with an interesting history.

News
The Largest Witch Trial in English History
The largest witch trial in English's history took place in Bury St Edmunds in 1645. We take a look at this tragic episode in our town's history which has inspired a new play.

News
The Bury St Edmunds Witch Trials are the Focus of a New Production by Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
We speak to writer Tallulah Brown and Director Owen Calvert Lyons about their new production of A Tryal of Witches about how the play's themes are still very much relevant today as it was in 1600s.

News
Cinema Launches New Film and Food Events for Spring
Abbeygate Cinema Launches New Film and Food Events for Spring
News
Patron Announced for The Abbey of St Edmund, Reborn Project
The Marquess of Bristol will be the new Patron for the Abbey project to conserve ruins and develop a Visitor Centre.

News
A Journey Through the Senses in Bury St Edmunds & Beyond
Engage all your senses and enjoy the wonders of Bury St Edmunds and Beyond...