“…Essex, look that he be conveyed with safe conduct”
We recently brought together representatives from across Shropshire, for a special stakeholder reception following the release of The Rest is History podcast episode highlighting the recovery of the Saint Erkenwald legacy and the St. Paul’s Stone. The gathering provided a moment to reflect on the historical rediscovery of Saint Erkenwald—the early medieval Bishop of London born in Essex.
Uniting Regional and Civic Leadership
The reception welcomed a broad range of civic, academic, and community leaders to discuss how this monumental historical recovery can best serve regional communities today. Attendees included representatives from:
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Shropshire Council and local Parish Council leadership
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Delegates from Much Wenlock
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Royal Charter bodies, including Harper Adams University and Shrewsbury School
In a generous gesture of cross-county solidarity, the people of Essex—recognizing the milestone of honoring one of their own—sent fine regional refreshments to mark the occasion. Among these was Silverhand sparkling wine, carrying a remarkably resonant heritage: the vines are grown on land historically linked to Saint Erkenwald himself. Renowned for its crisp elegance, fine celebratory effervescence, and rich notes of honeysuckle and brioche, the wine provided a deeply symbolic and vibrant glass to toast this historic gathering.
After listening to the podcast, stakeholders took part in an open discussion on how this transformational gift for Shropshire and England can be used to foster cultural education, heritage tourism, and community ties across Shropshire, London, and Essex.
The evening included a foramal toast before suppe which opened with lines from Shakespeare’s As You Like It:
First, in this forest let us do those ends
That here were well begun and well begot;
And after, every of this happy number,
That have endur’d shrewd days and nights with us,
Shall share the good of our returned fortune,
The toast honoured the heath or memory of the following:
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The memory of Saint Erkenwald
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His Majesty The King
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The good health of The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of London
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William Shakespeare
the toast concluded with lines from Shakespeare’s As You Like It:
“…Sit down and feed, And welcome to our table!”
