St Chads Stafford
The Stone Princes Trail
Sacred Staffordshire is an exploration of places of that have been sacred to people in the county for whatever reason - historical, legendary, or because of a special "Spirit of Place." 
 
The Trent Valley in Staffordshire is the scene of a dramatic story of two martyred Saxon princes and in which St Chad played a part. There are plans to use their story as the basis for a pilgrimage route.
 
Thomas Pennant wrote, in his "Journey from Chester to London" -
 
IMMEDIATELY after leaving Stonefield, reached the little town of Stone a place remarkable for religious antiquity. Legend tells us, that the before-mentioned Wulferus, then a Pagan, put to death his two sons, Wulfad and Rufin, on suspicion of favoring the Christian faith; Wulfad at this place, Rufin at Burston, about three miles distant. Over each, stones were erected, as usual, in memory of the dead; whence the names of these places are derived. Wulfere, after this unnatural deed, was struck with the utmost remorse, and, by the influence of his queen and St. Cedda, or Chad, who lived in a neighboring hermitage, was converted to the religion he had so lately persecuted; and, by way of expiating his guilt, among other works of piety, founded at Stone a college of canons regular, about the year 670. His queen Ermenilda is said to have also founded a nunnery here.
 
 
This remarkable story presents a great opportunity to establish a new trail centred on Stone along the Trent Valley between Trentham and Stafford. Here is a list of the significant sites along the route:

St Mary and All Saints Trentham (SJ865409) This site associated with St Werburga could be the starting point for the trail.

Saxon's Lowe (SJ875367) Most burial mounds of this type are from the Iron Age, but because it is called Saxon's Lowe some have proposed that Wulphere may have chose this as his burial place.

Bury Bank (SJ822359) This is the location of Wulphere's palace and where the princes were condemned to death. There is a mound on top which could be an alternative burial place for Wulphere. It could be argued that this is the most significant Saxon site in England which does not have good public access. At present there are no official footpaths, but local people do walk their dogs along the forest trails there.

Stone. In the town itself the first site to visit would be the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Dominic where there is a martyrs altar showing the baptism of Wulfad and Rufin and their martyrdom. Next there are the railings in Granville Square and then there is a fine Kempe stained glass window of the princes in St. Michael's and St. Wulfad's Church. Nearby is Priory House which is privately owned. In the basement of the house part of the crypt of the priory has been preserved and there are some fragments of the ruins in the garden.

Burston. In this village the church, built in the nineteenth century, is dedicated to St Rufin. There was a chapel dedicated to St Rufin south west of the village. This is more likely to be where he fell. It was known to be in use in Tudor times but what remained of it was destroyed when the canal was built in 1770. There is also a well called nearby called either St Rufin’s Well or St Chad's Well on the east side of the canal. (SJ934300)

Salt. There is a cave at Stone in which St Chad is reputed to resided is in the woods. It lies to the south of the village. (SJ953273) It has a ledge which is ideal for people to sit and talk together as St Chad and the two princes would have done.

As it stands the trail is about 13 miles. As far as public transport is concerned, it may be worth considering extending the trail from the caves at Salt to Stafford which is three miles further south. St Chad's church in the town centre would make an appropriate conclusion to the trail. A further consideration is that there are good footpaths over Cannock Chase to Lichfield and there is potential to extend the route to what would be a very appropriate pilgrimage destination with the strong association with St Chad.