A trip to Mercers’ Hall today. Discussions with archive unearthed new perspectives about ‘Old’ Sir Rowland Hill, who built Soulton Hall as his rustic power base while he was out of favour in London.
The Statue of the Dead Christ was discovered in 1954. (c) The Mercers Company
The highlight was undoubtedly encountering the “Mercers’ Christ” statue. This artwork was protected at great personal risk during a turbulent period. Sir Rowland Hill has to be among those who safeguarded this treasure.
The mercers Company also has (we think) the best sixteenth century portrait of ‘Old’ Sir Rowland.
Portrait of Sir Rowland Hill, in the Hall of the Mercers’ Company
