The Return Progress 1578

Curious Spark is delighted to be bringing this fantastic event to Wymondham Norfolk! With your help, we will transform the streets into a magical outdoor Elizabethan gallery for all to enjoy!

Fancy taking part?

Taking part as a Windowmaker is FREE, and everyone’s welcome. You can make a display in the windows of your flat, house, business, school, nursery, car, campervan, shop – or front garden!

PICK UP A FREE ELIZABETHAN WINDOW WANDERLAND MAKER’S PACK FROM WYMONDHAM LIBRARY DURING HALF TERM

Please don’t feel intimidated. Your display could be as simple as a candle, a Tudor goblet, a royal crown or a Tudor gown. Or you could go all out and create a line of Elizabethans waiting in line to see Queen Elizabeth I progress through your town! Anything Elizabethan goes… as long as it’s family-friendly!

And don’t forget to walk your local trail, from 13 February- 8 March 6 – 8pm every night!

Elizabethans? What’s it all about?

In 1578 Queen Elizabeth I and more than 200 courtiers made an incredible journey travelling into the unknown lands of Norfolk on her annual progress. 

Queen Elizabeth I at Kimberley Tower,

Wymondham 22-23 August 1578

• On leaving Norwich the Royal Progress stopped for 2 nights at Kimberley Tower. They were hosted by Roger Wodehouse, a catholic sympathiser, who displayed an acceptable Protestantism. Such measured behaviour led the Queen to knight Mr Wodehouse during the 1578 progress.
• A great throne had been erected for the Queen. Hung with crimson velvet it had on it the embroidered arms of Roger Wodehouse and his wife Mary.
• There may also have been a magnificent bed made especially for the Queen’s visit. A later inventory mentions ‘in the great chamber the bed had a canopy of crimson velvet with six double silk curtains and a red velvet valance, fringed with red silk, with cushions of red satin embroidered with silver and gold, and red velvet.’
• Do doubt there was great feasting and entertainment during the Queen’s visit before the progress began their long journey home – their next stop Woodrising Hall.

What to do next?

• Contact us to arrange a FREE community group or school-making session
• Click on ‘Take part in this event’ to add your location to our map. 
• Click here to get information inspiration and guidance on making your own window
• Speak and share with your friends, neighbours, schools, and local businesses to ask them to get involved!

Get Inspired! 

You can find display ideas on YouTube or find Window Wanderland on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest @windowwander. 

If you have any questions or would like to sponsor, promote or volunteer to help with this event, please contact Sarah or Joy through Contact organiser (The Orange button) on the right or email Sarah who will be thrilled to hear from the Thetford Windowmakers. 

There will be 6 trails across Norfolk- will The Return Journey 1578, Wymondham Trail, display the most windows?

The Cathedral Quarter Progress 1578, Norwich

The Stranger’s Pageant 1578, Norwich

The Hunting Party 1578, Costessey, Norwich

Party like it’s 1578, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

The Thetford Progress 1578, Norwich

Window Wanderlands have been held around the world, and here are some links if you want to know more:

Window Wanderland on The One Show

Windows of Wonder – The Guardian

Window Wanderland spreads friendship – BBC News.

Event Produced by

With Thanks to our Funders