From Coded Silence to Open Dialogue: A Landmark Year of Disclosure

 

“That every of this happy number

That have endured shrewd days and nights with us

Shall share the good of our returned fortune.”

— As You Like It, Act V, Scene 4

As 2025 draws to a close, we look back on a year defined by “bringing the hidden things into the light.”

Our focus for some years, privately, has been on the responsible handling of deep historical memories. 2025 saw the transition of Soulton from a site of necessary secrecy on these matters to one of public educational and ecumenical significance.

Historical Milestones: The Unfolding of National Memory

This year, Soulton Hall acknowledged two profound historical propositions that have lived within the estate’s “coded” legacy for centuries. As lay people, our role is to act as stewards, providing the space for stakeholders and people of faith to attend to these memories:

• The Erkenwald Connection: 2025 saw the first public acknowledgment regarding the memory that the relics of Saint Erkenwald were brought here in the 1550s. We are working out a responsible way to handle this legacy, recognizing that the Hall’s geometry appears to be a deliberate “sermon in stone” designed to preserve a memory that some parties in the Reformation sought to erase.

‘Feretory’ an art work in steel recycled, protecting an important place.

• The Altar Stone: It is now being entertained as a matter of historical memory that the High Altar stone from Old St. Paul’s Cathedral was brought to Soulton for sanctuary by Sir Rowland Hill. By acknowledging this connection, we allow the artifact to be handled with the gravity it requires, inviting others to engage with its presence.

The Epidaurus Court: A Space for Resolution

A significant highlight of 2025 was the revitalized use of the Epidaurus Court.

This outdoor space, designed with ancient theatrical geometry and deep links to the sincere practice of religion in previous times, is reserved only for very special uses.

• A Midsummer Night’s Dream: In August, the Court hosted its only theatrical production of the year. This performance was chosen specifically because of its status as one of Shakespeare’s “resolution plays,” which harmonize with the court’s geometric and spiritual heritage.

• A Selective Legacy: The Court is not a general stage; it is a space dedicated to the Shakespearean canon, newly commissioned works that evoke harmony, or significant interfaith contributions. By hosting only these specific works, we honor the court’s historical role as a site of intellectual and spiritual alignment.

The Success of Heritage Access Tours

2025 marked the first anniversary of our formal Heritage Access Tours.

The response has been overwhelming; these tours have consistently sold out and remained oversubscribed throughout the year.

We view this interest not merely as a success, but as an oblation.

For centuries, the intellectual and spiritual significance of Soulton was hidden—shrouded in codes and silence for necessary reasons as the builders waited for “better days.” We believe it is now our responsibility to ensure this history is no longer gatekept. After the long shadows, the stories of Soulton and its links to figures like Shakespeare belong to the public record.

Voice and Tradition: Harry Frost in the Garden

A highlight of the summer was Harry Frost’s reading in the Soulton gardens. His performance gave voice to the 14th-century Erkenwald poem, allowing guests to reflect on the journey of the Saxon Prince and Bishop within the physical landscape of this place.

This act of storytelling respected the weight of the memory while remaining rooted in the quiet peace of the Shropshire countryside.

The “Number in Time and Space” Exhibition

A major cultural milestone was the Byrga Geniht “Number in Time and Space” exhibition.

This project invited visitors to look at the Hall through the lens of Renaissance mathematics.

• The exhibition explored how the Tudor builders used Sacred Geometry—not as a religious claim, but as a sophisticated architectural language of “number.”

• It showed how the Hall was designed to create a physical lecture prop exploring mathematics and the philosophy of harmony that bridges the gap between ancient memory and modern observation.

Ecumenical Attendance and National Links

The recognition of these memories has fostered a year of robust networking and institutional partnership. Rather than a personal exploration of faith, this has been an exercise in opening doors:

Ecumenical Partnerships: Landmark services at Soulton have brought together diverse faith leaders. These gatherings allow us, as stewards, to facilitate a dialogue on the legacy of the “Undivided Church” while remaining rooted in our role as the secular guardians of the site.

Connecting with the Cathedrals: Our engagement with the wider network has seen increased cooperation and attendance at services at St. Paul’s Cathedral and Lichfield Cathedral. This bridges the geographical and historical gap between the seat of Erkenwald’s ministry and his suspected sanctuary in Shropshire, placing Soulton within a national framework of heritage.

Five Years of the Soulton Long Barrow

The year drew to a close with the 5th anniversary of the Soulton Long Barrow. During the Winter Solstice, the light once again aligned with the stone chamber. As stewards, we remain moved by how this modern monument allows the community to mark the passage of time and honor their own personal memories.

The Life of the Hall: Transitions and New Guardians

The story of Soulton is also told through those who watch over its gates every day. 2025 saw a poignant transition in the life of the family and the estate:

• The Loss of Amish: This year we said a final goodbye to Amish, whose presence had been a constant at the Hall for many years. He was a familiar face to many visitors and an integral part of the daily life of the farm and manor.

• The Arrival of Philemon and Onizima: In the wake of this loss, we welcomed two new companions: Philemon and Onizima. As the next generation of Soulton dogs, they have quickly taken up their roles, greeting guests on our tours and accompanying us as we walk the “As You Like It” woods.

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Looking Toward 2026

In the coming year, we will expand our tour capacity to meet the high demand, remaining committed to the principle that this heritage is a shared resource.

We continue to work with historians and faith leaders to ensure the “better days” these stones waited for are realized through open, rigorous, and respectful inquiry.