“The Armoury Through Time” by Kathleen and John Hallaways

The Mendlesham Armoury, housed over the north porch of the church for over 500 years, is unique – the only one of its kind left in England – and so of vital importance to our national heritage.  It is amazing that it has survived for so long when others have vanished, and in this talk we will be studying this incredible survival: taking the story from 1695, when the Militia and Armoury cease to be mentioned in the Church Wardens Accounts, documenting the vicissitudes that the Armoury – both armour and documentary evidence – has gone through in the centuries since the doors closed for the last time, and bringing the story right up to date with information about the Armoury Facelift Project’s exciting plans for better conservation, interpretation & display of this unique heritage so it can be passed onto future generations in the best condition.