'Feretory', and the Grand Plan for Erkenwald

Following the announcement of the discovery of the relics of St Erkenwald at Soulton Hall, BYRGA GENIHT has produced its biggest art installation to date to commemorate the saint.

Feretory is a steel pyramid placed over the site where the relics are buried. This collaborative artwork (James D. Wenn, James Syrett, Tim Ashton, Jamie McCartney, and technicians at Soulton Hall) is part of a package of measures, including extra security at the Hall, to allow the public to access the discovery. It is the first phase in a grand plan by BYRGA GENIHT to build a lasting memorial in the large garden space at Soulton known as 'Epidaurus Court'.

A plan for the site is shown below. The plan shows the Hall (A), new disabled access (B), and a paved "stage" (C) in a redesigned garden to allow open-air performances, with a semi-circular space for seating — a nod to the amphitheatre at Epidaurus, which the garden was originally designed around.

At the centre of the stage is a circular bronze plaque, dedicated to the memory of St Erkenwald. This original design by James D. Wenn and James Syrett can be viewed either way up as the shield of the City of London, or a Bishop's mitre and bands (St Erkenwald was Bishop of St Paul's Cathedral). The design on the bands is taken from the Saxon hanging bowl at Prittlewell, in the county of Essex where Erkenwald did most of his missionary work. A quote from the poem Erkenwald is also included.

The design of the plaque and an artist's rendering of the plaque cast in bronze.

The plaque already has endorsement from members of the House of Lords, following an ecumenical meeting held there in October 2024.

When the plan is implemented and the stage and plaque installed, Feretory will be moved to the rond-point in the As You Like It wood on the Soulton Estate.

BYRGA GENIHT will continue to work with Soulton and share updates on progress with the project. Follow our communications channels to keep up to date.