The United Kingdom is building its first inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH), following the ratification of the 2003 UNESCO Convention. Soulton Hall is proposing a tradition that encapsulates our unique identity: The Dance of Harmony from William Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
The famous Soulton Dancing Pavement
I. The Heritage: A Coded Quest for Reconciliation
The Dance of Harmony is a kinetic memory of a continuous struggle for balance, order, and reconciliation that is central to Soulton Hall’s history.
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The Founder’s Code: Soulton Hall was constructed by Sir Rowland Hill, the figure believed to inspire the play’s namesake character, during the intensely divided period of the English Reformation (C16th). Hill’s architecture, geometry, and hidden symbolism (including a concealed chapel and priest’s hide) form a detailed Renaissance Code. This silent, intellectual language of Harmony and Order was a philosophical response to political and religious division—a matter of survival.
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Ancient Roots: The Hall’s design is also strongly associated with the memory of St. Erkenwald, the 7th-century Bishop of London, revered for his role in achieving peace and reconciliation between factions. The Dance, therefore, links the 7th-century spiritual ideal to the 16th-century Reformation crisis, embodying a timeless pursuit of unity.
II. The Living Tradition
The Dance of Harmony is the dramatic culmination of As You Like It, resolving the chaos of exile and restoring political and social balance.
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The Soulton Pavement: The physical home of the tradition is the Soulton Dancing Pavement—a dedicated, historical space used for celebratory dances. It is here that we preserve, teach, and perform the Dance of Harmony today, ensuring it remains a truly living practice.
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Local Roots: The surrounding landscape, known as the “As You Like It” Wood, further roots the performance in our specific locality, linking the play’s narrative directly to the manor’s land and history.
III. The Submission: Meeting National Criteria
The Dance of Harmony contributes significantly to the national criteria for Intangible Cultural Heritage:
| Criteria | Contribution |
| Cultural Identity | It is the physical embodiment of Soulton’s deeply coded history—a tangible link to philosophies and the spiritual memory of reconciliation. |
| Economic Value | This unique cultural practice draws national and international visitors for immersive stays and heritage tours, providing employment and contributing to the local Shropshire economy. |
| Transmission | We are committed to teaching and performing the Dance of Harmony, ensuring this vital message of order and reconciliation is passed down to future generations. |
IV. The Official Call to Action: Support Our Nomination
To secure the recognition and safeguarding of the Dance of Harmony, we need to demonstrate that this tradition is valued by the community that practices it.
We invite all who share a sense of the vital importance of Soulton Hall’s complex heritage to support our nomination for this national inventory.
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Deadline: The deadline for the first round of the inventory is Friday, March 27, 2026.
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Details: For full details on the submission process, criteria, and how to submit support, please visit: www.livingheritage.unesco.org.uk.
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This was cover in an article in the Shropshire Star which you can read here.
