This autumn, we are delighted to present a major international exhibition telling the story of Wales at a pivotal moment in its history. Through exceptional eleventh-century manuscripts and medieval treasures from its own collections, Normans: The Welsh Perspective will offer a fresh view of a period that is often portrayed through the eyes of the conquerors.
For the first time in almost a thousand years, three exceptional manuscripts created in the famous Llanbadarn Fawr scriptorium will be reunited and displayed alongside medieval manuscripts and treasures from our collections. Together, they tell the story of a centre of learning of international importance that connected Wales to the intellectual networks of medieval Europe.
The exhibition forms part of a landmark international partnership between organisations in Wales, Ireland, England and France, contributing to a wider programme of European activities marking the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror in 2027. From Llanbadarn to Dublin, Cambridge, London and Normandy, the project highlights the cultural and intellectual connections that shaped medieval Europe.
The Library's Chief Executive, Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, said:
"This is one of the most significant medieval exhibitions ever presented by the Library. It brings international treasures back to Wales and allows us to tell the story of the Norman Conquest from a perspective that has too often been overlooked. It's a chance to see that this isn't just a story of conquest, but a story of resilience, creativity, and learning. Significantly, these manuscripts, created in a time of conflict and major political change, are being reunited today through collaboration between libraries and cultural institutions, showing the power of partnership in protecting and sharing our common heritage."
The exhibition focuses on the work of Sulien, his sons and the scholars of Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth revealing a centre of learning of international importance at a time of profound political and social change. Visitors will discover how Welsh culture, literature and learning continued to flourish during the age of the Norman Conquest, and how Wales responded to the challenges of that period.
The exhibition will feature a historic reunion of:
- The Ricemarch Psalter, Trinity College Dublin.
- St Augustine's De Trinitate, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
- Macrobius' Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis, British Library, London.
These will be displayed alongside Vitae Sanctorum Wallensium, which contains the Life of St David by Rhygyfarch ap Sulien that will also be coming from the British Library. Additionally some of the National Library of Wales' most important medieval treasures will be exhibited, including the Book of Taliesin.
Lucie Hobson, the Library's Manuscripts Curator, said -
"The ‘Llanbadarn Manuscripts’ offer an unprecedented glimpse into Wales' literary culture at the time of the Norman Conquest. It’s a privilege to bring these manuscripts together for the first time in nearly a thousand years, and to have the rare opportunity to see one of the few surviving collections of medieval Welsh ‘glas’ works. Along with other literary treasures from our collections, they tell the story of the Normans through Welsh eyes.”
Located on the coast of Mid Wales, the exhibition in Aberystwyth will offer a rare opportunity to see manuscripts that have been dispersed across countries and collections for centuries. For a limited period, these works will be reunited close to the place where they were first created, shedding new light on Wales' contribution to the intellectual history of Europe.
Normans: The Welsh Perspective will run at the National Library of Wales from 21 November 2026 to 20 March 2027.
It will be followed by the second chapter of the story, Arthur: From Wales to the World, opening in April 2027. Tracing the routes of monks, writers and pilgrims, the exhibition will explore how the legend of Arthur travelled from its Welsh origins to become one of the most influential stories in European literature and culture.
Category: News