THIS November, the National Library of Wales will 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.

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.

For the first time in almost a thousand years, three exceptional manuscripts created in the famous Llanbadarn Fawr scriptorium will be sourced from Dublin, Cambridge and London and reunited. They will be displayed alongside Vitae Sanctorum Wallensium, which contains the Life of St David by Rhygyfarch ap Sulien and will come from the British Library. Additionally some of the National Library of Wales' most important medieval treasures will be exhibited, including the Book of Taliesin.

Rhodri Llwyd Morgn, Chief Executive of the National Library of Wales, 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.”

The National Library of Wales is located on Penglais Road, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3BU, overlooking Cardigan Bay.

Normans: The Welsh Perspective will run from November 21, 2026 to March 20, 2027.