We are bringing history of French and English castles to life... in a small corner of Norwich

Richard Wheeler Monday, March 11, 2013
1:26 PM

They were symbols of Norman wealth and power originally built and developed over several years, which still survive in varying forms today.

An image of a 3D model showing Norwich Castle, circa 1120, from the outside with a section removed to show the interior

But in a corner of the University of East Anglia (UEA), a computing sciences team is taking just months to create six Norman-era castles.

The 3D computer models will include four English castles – Norwich, Rochester, Colchester and Hastings – plus Falaise and Caen of northern France, as part of the Norman Connections project.

This is attempting to improve the understanding of Norwich’s 11th century castle, improve displays for visitors, while also furthering the knowledge and links between Norman sites in the east and south east of England and northern France.

While many people are aware of 1066 and the basic details of the Norman conquest, museum officials hope to help people understand how the attractions used to look and what life was like in these periods.

An image of a 3D model of how the great hall in Norwich Castle looked in circa 1120

The Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service is aiming to provide a 3D virtual tour of Norwich Castle by late summer.

The UEA was successful in securing the estimated £120,000 tender to model six castles on computer and intends to finish them all by the end of November.

David Drinkwater, senior research associate and project manager, said the time it takes to create a model depends on the level of detail required.

While it is possible to create each castle stone-by-stone, with all the interiors lovingly replicated, the level of knowledge about a building’s history also influences what can be done.

An image of a 3D model of medieval Norwich produced by the University of East Anglia's School of Computing Sciences

In some instances, there remain disputes about how to interpret the history of a castle, particularly its early years as so little evidence exists.

The team has been working on the six castles for the last three months.

Mr Drinkwater said he has meetings planned with officials from Caen to further discuss how their model will be developed.

He said: “It’s easier to start with what you know and work back. Caen has been through so many changes. What we want is them to tell us what it’s like and you go to a meeting and they are not sure.”

The modellers create a mock-up and then show it to the castle historians and officials. Changes are then made based on the feedback received.

Mr Drinkwater said: “For a lot of the people we deal with, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime project. They have never had to commission a virtual model so they are not knowing what to expect.”

Dr John Davies, chief curator at the Norfolk museums service, said of the project: “It will throw new light in looking at these comparable castles at the same period in time.

“We are very fortunate to have the UEA with this specialism on our doorstep.”

Two art exhibitions inspired by the Norman Connections project are also set to open at Norwich Castle on March 30. They are: John Sell Cotman: A Picturesque Tour of Norfolk & Normandy, which runs until March 2014; and Gerard Stamp: Conquest – Norfolk’s Norman Legacy Reflected in Watercolours, which runs until September 29.