Uncovering the Tudor Secrets of Soulton Hall
We are pleased to report that Soulton Hall and the story of “Old” Sir Rowland Hill will soon be featured on The Rest Is History, hosted by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook.
Having known Tom Holland for a long time, we have shared many conversations over the years about this special place.
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Download the official press release trailing the episode(PDF)]
Like us, Tom was long intrigued and puzzled by the deeper, hidden story of Soulton Hall and felt there was much more beneath the surface waiting to be understood.
Pioneering Research: James Wenn and James Syrett of Byrga Geniht
Unlocking these long-held secrets would simply not have been possible without the extraordinary work of James Wenn and James Syrett of Byrga Geniht.
We owe them massive credit and deep gratitude for their groundbreaking research, brilliant architectural analysis, and tireless dedication.
Their revelations have transformed our understanding of Soulton Hall, demonstrating how intellect, coded design, and quiet determination were used to protect the shared past of the nation during a period often remembered only for widespread Tudor destruction.
The Preservation of Saint Erkenwald
Saint Erkenwald was the seventh-century bishop and patron figure of medieval London.
When royal orders directed the dismantling of his famous tomb at Old St Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Rowland Hill stepped in behind the scenes. James Wenn and James Syrett uncovered two remarkable connections right here at Soulton. First, they proved that the proportions and structural geometry of Soulton Hall directly echo the recorded dimensions of the Erkenwald monument in London. Second, they identified that parched ground marks in the central court reveal a hidden square structure, marking the location where sacred material was secretly reinterred.
The Lost Altar Stone of Old St Paul’s
In 1550, while serving as Lord Mayor of London, Sir Rowland was tasked by Bishop Riddley and the Crown with taking down the High Altar of Old St Paul’s Cathedral.
Official accounts led people to believe these key structures were destroyed.
However, the research by Byrga Geniht into the architectural language of Soulton showed that the entire planning of the Hall honoured a central basement room planned around a stone whose dimensions match a medieval altar.
It is now believed that Old Sir Rowland Hill wished the building to be understood as a statement that he did not destroy, but rather smuggled out and preserved this focal piece of London’s heritage.
A Sanctuary of Resistance and As You Like It
Sir Rowland Hill created Soulton Hall around 1556 as a place of safety, scholarship, and quiet resistance.
Beyond its hidden spaces used to protect forbidden texts, the hall holds profound ties to English literature.
The estate directly inspired the setting and spirit of reconciliation found in Thomas Lodge’s work and William Shakespeare’s As You Like It.
The character of Old Sir Rowland de Boys in the play honors the memory of Sir Rowland Hill, celebrating a legacy of wisdom, shelter, and peace during turbulent times.
How to Listen and Visit
You can tune in to The Rest Is History on your preferred podcast platform to hear Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook explore this story. If you wish to walk the grounds, explore the coded architecture, and see the historic spaces yourself, heritage tours can be booked directly through Soulton Hall.
