This year’s edition of The Brown Book — a publication of Lady Margaret Hall (LMH), Oxford University — covers Tim Ashton’s address at the 2024 Quit Rents Ceremony in London.
The editorial highlights the profound connection between Sir Rowland Hill’s Tudor life and the ancient independence of the City of London.
The Quit Rents Ceremony is one of London’s most ancient traditions, symbolizing the City’s unique relationship with the Crown.
Tim’s involvement stemmed from the growing recognition ofr, Sir Rowland Hill, as a key figure in Renaissance statecraft and architectural thought—a narrative that centers on his rural headquarters here at Soulton Hall.
The commenary on the evnent from The Brown Book frames the historical importance of this event:
This ceremony is an ancient tradition, older than Magna Carta, where the City of London symbolically pays (and is then essentially excused) rent to the Crown for certain pieces of land… This tradition is concerned with manifesting the ancient independence of London to function in some ways like an old European city state from Saxon times.
On occasions, such as the 1066 Conquest when it was defended by Bishop William, and during the Reformation, the settlement has been perceived to be under review and this ceremonial activity is part of the theatre of statecraft manifesting the position.
Tim Ashton’s prominent role in the 2024 Quit Rents Ceremony stems from his connection to the legacy of his forebear, Sir Rowland Hill (Tudor polymath, Lord Mayor, Privy Councillor, theologian, architect, merchant and philanthropist and contended Shakespeare muse) of Soulton Hall… The growing recognition of ‘Old’ Sir Rowland’s significant contributions to Renaissance thought, encoding of information in his building at his rural headquarters at Soulton, and Tudor statecraft, has brought his family’s history into sharper focus…
The editorial underscores how Sir Rowland Hill’s legacy—as a Privy Councillor who served through four tumultuous reigns—is intrinsically tied to the stability and continuity of English governance.
To read Tim Ashton’s full speech on Sir Rowland Hill’s statecraft and the ancient history of the Quit Rents Ceremony, please follow the link below:
