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 11th-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.

For the first time in almost a thousand years, three exceptional manuscripts created in the famous Llanbadarn Fawr scriptorium will be reunited and displayed alongside medieval manuscripts and treasures from the collections of the National Library of Wales. Together, they tell the story of a centre of learning of international importance that connected Wales to the intellectual networks of medieval Europe.

The exhibition forms part of a landmark international partnership between organisations in Wales, Ireland, England and France, contributing to a wider programme of European activities marking the millennium of the birth of William the Conqueror in 2027. From Llanbadarn to Dublin, Cambridge, London and Normandy, the project highlights the cultural and intellectual connections that shaped medieval Europe.

Rhodri Llwyd Morgan, Chief Executive of the National Library, 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. Significantly, these manuscripts, created in a time of conflict and major political change, are being reunited today through collaboration between libraries and cultural institutions, showing the power of partnership in protecting and sharing our common heritage."

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.

The exhibition will feature a historic reunion of The Ricemarch Psalter, Trinity College Dublin; St Augustine's De Trinitate, Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and Macrobius' Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis, British Library, London.

These will be displayed alongside Vitae Sanctorum Wallensium, which contains the Life of St David by Rhygyfarch ap Sulien that will also be coming from the British Library. Additionally some of the National Library of Wales' most important medieval treasures will be exhibited, including the Book of Taliesin.

Lucie Hobson, Manuscripts Curator at the National Library of Wales, said: "The ‘Llanbadarn Manuscripts’ offer an unprecedented glimpse into Wales' literary culture at the time of the Norman Conquest. It’s a privilege to bring these manuscripts together for the first time in nearly a thousand years, and to have the rare opportunity to see one of the few surviving collections of medieval Welsh ‘glas’ works. Along with other literary treasures from our collections, they tell the story of the Normans through Welsh eyes.”

Normans: The Welsh Perspective will run at the National Library of Wales from 20 November.