We are pleased to share that Tim Ashton, has commenced a Master’s degree in Shakespeare Studies at the Shakespeare Institute of the University of Birmingham.
Tim Ashton, pictured at the barrow giving a BBC interview.
This endeavor represents a significant commitment to scholarly inquiry and reinforces the Hall’s dedication to its historical and cultural legacy.
While preserving its historical character, Soulton Hall has also cultivated a notable role in contemporary arts and culture. The estate serves as a venue for theatrical performances, lectures, and other artistic events. This engagement with the arts is a natural evolution of the Hall’s heritage, reflecting a modern stewardship that values and promotes cultural expression. Tim’s academic work is expected to further enhance this aspect of the Hall’s mission.
Tim’s study will build upon the connections between the Soulton estate and William Shakespeare. For some time, the Ashton family has worked to bring these links to the attention of a broader academic audience. The Hall’s history with Sir Rowland Hill, a prominent 16th-century statesman and philanthropist, is of particular interest, and it is entertained that Sir Rowland Hill served as the inspiration for the character “Old Sir Rowland” in Shakespeare’s play As You Like It. This understanding is supported by several points of scholarly interest incluiding:
- The Soulton estate was previously owned by the family of Thomas Lodge, whose prose romance Rosalynde served as the source for Shakespeare’s play.
- Shakespeare’s deliberate change of the character’s name from “John” (in Lodge’s text) to “Old Sir Rowland” is seen as a direct acknowledgement of Sir Rowland Hill.
- Sir Rowland Hill was a cousin by marriage to Shakespeare’s mother, Mary Arden.
In addition to these historical links, Tim’s work is expected to explore the deeper architectural and performative connections of Soulton Hall. The nature of the closing dance in As You Like It will be of particular relevance, as will the architectural design of Soulton Hall itself. Inspired by scholarly work by James Wenn, the Hall’s architecture has been held to include references to ancient Greek sites like Epidaurus and Eleusis, which connect the estate to ancient theatrical and ritual traditions. While the intellectual property for these insights is that of James Wenn, this formal program of study is an opportunity for Tim to attend to this perspective also.
Tim’s academic pursuit is aimed at setting these matters out soberly in an academic setting and contributing to the body of scholarship that explores the intricate historical and literary connections between Soulton Hall and the works of Shakespeare.
Door Plate of the Shakespeare Institute
