More historic artefacts put up for adoption as part of Norwich Castle fundraiser

An elaborate medieval manuscript is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

The Keep Adopting scheme was set up as part of the wider Keep Giving appeal to raise £50,000 for the ambitious £13.5m Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project to re-imagine the castle's keep as it was in its royal palace heyday, including recreating the keep's main Norman floor and great hall.

So far Keep Adopting has played a part in nearly £15,000 being raised, and now five more artefacts have been made available for people to adopt and support the castle's project.

A boot from the 1500s found at St Benedicts Gate in 1951, is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

They include an elaborate medieval manuscript, a boot from the 1500s found at St Benedict's Gate in 1951, and a 15th century sword.

There is also a cannon, which is thought to have been used in the 14th century and was found in Lowestoft, and a medieval tile which is thought to have been made in the 1400s and includes an illustration of a dog and the badge and name of Sir John Talbot, the first Earl of Shrewsbury and a military commander. All five are classed as 'gold objects' which means they may only be adopted by one person or group.

The 15th century Bastard Sword is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

Angela Riley, Norwich Castle: Gateway to Medieval England project manager: 'Our Keep Adopting scheme offers a unique gift to a museum lover or medieval enthusiast as well as the opportunity to become part of a special moment in Norwich Castle's history.

'We need help in the final fundraising push to make sure that many untold medieval stories can be explored through stunning and rare objects, exposed archaeology and the latest digital technology, within the majestic surroundings of the historic keep.'

A cannon, which is thought to have been used in the 14th century and was found in Lowestoft, is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

Since Keep Adopting began in September, there have been almost 60 adoptions of artefacts from Norwich Castle's collections.

An 18th century Snap Dragon puppet, an ear scoop thought be from Roman times, and the castle's Bigod Arch are among the Keep Adopting 'gold objects' that have already been adopted, meanwhile many more 'silver objects' - which can be adopted by more than one person or group - have also been snapped up.

A medieval tile, decorated with an image of a dog and the badge and name of Sir John Talbot, is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

The most popular item so far is the Fastolf Sword which already has 15 silver adoptions.

For more about Keep Adopting, visit www.adoptanobject.co.ukCenturies-old doors set to inspire modern-day writing project at Norwich School

The Friends of Norwich School are the �gold adopter� of the Cathedral Infirmary Doors on display at Norwich Castle. Pictured are Norwich school pupils Hugo Dimoglou (11), Tilly Hill (11), Livi Tighe (11), and Naraen Prabhakar (11). Photo: Mark Ivan Benfield (Image: Mark Ivan Benfield)

In the 13th century they were the entrance to the Norwich Cathedral Infirmary and today these historic doors are set to spark the imaginations of school pupils taking part in a special project.

The Friends of Norwich School are the 'gold adopter' of the Cathedral Infirmary Doors on display at the castle, and the plan is for the doors to inspire a creative writing project.

Norwich Castle Museum. The castle keep. Picture : ANTONY KELLY

Fiona Wollocombe, Friends of Norwich School chairman, said: 'The Keep Adopting campaign to raise money for the castle keep is something we were keen to engage with and with Norwich School's connections to the cathedral...The Friends are looking forward to working with Norwich Castle on an exciting writing project early next year that should challenge our pupils to imagine just who might have been [going] in and out of those doors over the centuries.'

The doors are already inspiring some pupils including 11-year-old Hugo Dimoglou. When asked what he thought he would find behind the doors, he said: 'A curled up dragon among some old dusty beds.'

The Keep Giving campaign at Norwich Castle, encouraging people to Adopt an Object from the castle keep. The castle keep which will soon be changing from how it looks today. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY (Image: Copyright: Archant 2017)

The 15th century Bastard Sword is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

A boot from the 1500s, which was found at St Benedicts Gate in 1951, is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

A medieval tile, which is thought to have been made in the 1400s and includes an illustration of a dog and the badge and name of Sir John Talbot, is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)

An elaborate medieval manuscript is among the items that can be adopted as part of Norwich Castle's Keep Adopting scheme. Photo: supplied by Norwich Castle (Image: supplied by Norwich Castle)