Edmund and the Great Heathen Army
Moyse’s Hall celebrates Edmund in life and in death like never before!
- Date
- 6th June 2026 - 4th October 2026
About this event
A king will fall, a saint will rise…
According to legend, in 869AD, King Edmund met the ‘Great Heathen Army’ in battle, was defeated, and brutally martyred. His cult would spread across Christendom in the centuries that followed and he would become England’s Patron Saint.
In death, Edmund’s spirit would be credited with healings, comfort, protection, and enforcing justice upon criminals and rulers. His name and relics would inspire political endeavours and combat. The Kings that followed would fear his spectral wrath.
This summer at Moyse’s Hall we will celebrate Edmund in life and in death like never before. Through academic partnership, we will meet Edmund in his 9th Century world, before exploring the rise and fall of his cult.
It includes a re-creation of St Edmund’s gold tomb, which is being specially built by Andy Stubbs of Scenic Productions who supplies set design to the West End and the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmund.
Family trails every day, with workshops and daytime events on selected dates, as well as an evening lecture series.
Dates: Saturday 6 June – February 2027
Times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm (last admission 4pm)
Sunday 12pm – 4pm (last admission 3pm)
Admission: Adults £5.50, Child(6 – 16) £4, Full Time Student £4. Family ticket (2 adults & 3 children) £19. Under 5s FREE (no ticket required)
Venue: Moyse’s Hall Museum, Bury St Edmunds
Advance booking recommended.
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About the Venue
This beautiful medieval museum in the heart of Bury St Edmunds houses rich and eclectic collections and changing exhibitions, and hosts events ranging from themed craft workshops for all the family to historical talks and lectures.
Steeped in history, Moyse's Hall has looked out over Bury St Edmunds market place for almost 900 years.
The landmark 12th century building rich and varied past has included serving as the town Bridewell, workhouse and police station, first opening as a museum in 1899.
Today the museum offers a fascinating view into the past with collections that document the foundation of the early town - from the creation and dissolution of the Abbey of St Edmund to fascinating insights into local superstitions and witchcraft.
Crime and Punishment
You can explore the Bury St Edmunds witch trials including its connection to the Salem witch trials, folklore and ritual deposits, the infamous Red Barn Murder, the Nichols Murder, and prison paraphernalia in the museum's recently re-interpreted Crime and Punishment Gallery.
Saint Edmund
Moyse’s Hall celebrates Edmund in life and in death like never before. Through academic partnership, meet Edmund in his 9th Century world, before exploring the rise and fall of his cult.
It includes a re-creation of St Edmund’s gold tomb, which is being specially built by Andy Stubbs of Scenic Productions who supplies set design to the West End and Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds.
Clocks and Timepieces
Moyse's Hall Museum is also known as home to a world class collection of exquisite collections of clocks and timepieces including rare items bequeathed by musician and clock collector Frederic Greshom-Parkington.
Fine Art
Fine art by Sir Peter Lely, Angelica Kauffman, James Tissot, and England's first professional female painter Mary Beale. Fine art is displayed on rotation, call to check if studying a specific artist.
Suffolk Regiment Gallery
From Ireland to India and from Afghanistan to the Normandy beaches ... the battles, traditions and stories of the Suffolks (1685-1959). A taste of the regiment's collections housed at Gibraltar Keep.
Tickets
All of the galleries and exhibitions can be viewed by paying one entrance price below.
Adults £5.50
Students £4
Child 5-16 £4
Under 5s Free
Accessibility
The museum is wheelchair accessible with lifts to all floors. There is seating for visitors throughout the museum.
Find out more about Accessibility at Moyse's Hall Museum.
Toilet and baby-changing facilities
Accessible toilet facilities are available on the ground floor which include an area for baby-changing.
Children
Children are very welcome. There are a number of child-friendly activities in the museum including dressing up, quizzes and trails.
Dogs
Assistance dogs only. Dogs are welcome in the reception for tourist information enquires and to access the gift shop.
