On Friday 30 April—marking one of the several feast days associated with St Erkenwald—we convened a meeting in Whitehall. This gathering is part of a customary series of stakeholder engagements held to attend to the legacy of Old Sir Rowland Hill. Throughout this work, we have appreciated the helpful consultancy of Byrga Geniht.
The Whitehall meeting was unanimous in the value of using contemporary programming to enhance traditions of civic virtue.
Historical Perspectives and the Undivided Church
For the Aston family, these meetings are an opportunity to interrogate and shape how heritage is presented at Soulton. A central theme of the discussion was the respectful handling of the “undivided church” traditions.
In a time often marked by social friction, there is a clear desire to bridge historical divisions through open fellowship. We look to the recent examples of reconciliation set by His Holiness the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and His Majesty the King.
This perspective is especially relevant today, as faith-based tensions continue to surface in the UK—with high-profile recent examples being particularly distressing for Jewish and Muslim communities.
The setting in Whitehall, where we joined stakeholders to ensure the legacy of Sir Rowland Hill continues to inform modern civic life.
Our discussions focus on how a grounded historical consciousness can foster broader understanding:
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Erkenwald and History: We explore the Middle English poem Erkenwald and its reflections on justice and historical continuity.
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Civic Foundations: We examine how these cultural roots connect to archaeology and foundational concepts of justice, such as those within Magna Carta.
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London’s Patrimony: The work of our forebear, Old Sir Rowland Hill—from his role in renewing London’s hospitals to providing the land that housed the Globe Theatre—remains a key part of the city’s shared identity.
The Soulton Literary Landscape
The Whitehall event provided an opportunity to review the integrated map of forces that connect our built environment to the literature associated with it. By looking beyond narrow theological questions, we can see how these elements form a cohesive whole:
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Rosalynde by Thomas Lodge Jr.: A text emphasizing the “Golden Legacy” and the values passed between generations.
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As You Like It by William Shakespeare: A play tied to our home that brings these themes into a wider cultural conversation.
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Erkenwald: A work that bridges hagiography and the civic history of the land in London and in Shropshire.
Culture and Civic Life
The meeting followed a significant lecture at Soulton Hall by UK Supreme Court emerita Lady Arden. She noted that the health of a society is supported by its cultural and arts heritage alongside the formal instruments of the law.
We take this observation very seriously. Law is not the only way—nor is it necessarily the most effective way—to ensure that honorable behavior is embedded and socially reproduced. Cultural heritage serves as a vital safeguard for a country’s morality, operating alongside the law to guide civic life.
Stakeholders during the 30 April meeting, contributed to the cultural and welcoming traditions we offer to visitors at Soulton Hall.
Towards a New Charitable Foundation
To conclude the day, it was clearly agreed that moving toward a new phase of this work through a charitable foundation is a needful step. This is a matter that will now begin to be attended to, ensuring that the integration of history, literature, and the arts remains a sustainable part of the Soulton mission for years to come.
Following the meetings, we attended the 1700 service at Westminster Abbey
