AN important piece of Ludlow’s history dating back to the reign of Elizabeth I has been secured for the town.

Now an appeal will be launched to raise £10,000 to pay for it and a linked educational programme.

A very important stage in the future of the Ludlow Castle Heraldic Roll was reached when the Friends of Ludlow Museum agreed to become the owners of this important document.

The roll was spotted in an antique shop in London and so began a process which has led to it being purchased for the town.

This has been made possible through a loan from the Ludlow Civic Society and there will be fundraising in the town to pay for the roll.

After expert examination it has been decided that the roll, which dates back to the 16th century, is in too poor a condition to be put on display.

Because of its poor condition, the Heraldic Scroll has been purchased for just £2,400.

However, two high quality copies will be made, one of which will be put on permanent display in the town and the other will be used to take to schools and colleges as part of an education programme.

To pay for this, a public appeal will be launched to raise £10,000 including the repayment of the loan to the Civic Society.

"We have big plans for it,” said Hugh Wood of the Ludlow Heraldic Roll Group.

“As it is quite fragile, we intend to create two high-quality copies. One of these will be permanently displayed in Ludlow and the other will be available for taking into schools or special events.

“We also plan to produce a range of literature about the roll and the people recorded in it.

“In the coming months we will be seeking to raise the money we need to help us achieve all our educational objectives and to repay the loan.

“For several reasons, it is important that we have charitable status, including the ability to claim gift aid and this decision by the Friends of Ludlow Museum has helped us to achieve that.

“We will be arranging several opportunities for members of the public to see the roll in the coming months and these will be advertised widely."

Hugh Wood said that the roll would have been lost to the town but for the support and loan from the Ludlow Civic Society.

The Heraldic Roll was created in 1576 on the orders of Sir Henry Sidney, Lord President of the Council of Wales and the Marches and is just four inches wide, but 15 feet long when unrolled.

Sir Henry was a great showman and he filled the round chapel with the coats of arms of many of the people associated with the castle. He then commissioned this roll to provide an enduring record of the display.

It contains the coats of arms of 11 previous owners of the castle from Walter de Lacy in the 11th century down to Queen Elizabeth I, including the infamous Roger Mortimer with his wife, Joan de Geneville; Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York with Cecily Neville; King Edward IV with Elizabeth Woodville and King Henry VIII with Anne Boleyn.

The roll also records the arms of nine previous Presidents of the Council and all the 22 members of the council who were appointed by Queen Elizabeth I in 1570.

“We are delighted to be able to help with the ownership of this historic document and we understand how important it is to have charitable status when fundraising,” said Lottie James, chairman of the Friends of Ludlow Museum.

The original roll will be kept at the Ludlow Museum Resource Centre.