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The tomb where Saint Bertram is buried

Bertram had many religious connections with Staffordshire throughout his life. He was King of Mercia, raised his child near a cave in Wetton and was even tempted by the devil in Barthomley. He lived at a retreat in Stafford and was buried in the Holy Cross Church at Ilam.

Robert Brown investigates further into the Saxon’s hermit life, his faith and his links with Staffordshire.

Although we can not be sure that all this information is correct, the myth is still as strong today as it has been for centuries.

Ilam Church

The King of Mercia

Bertram - also known by the names Bertelin, Bertellin and Barthelm - was the King of Mercia in the 8th Century and ruled all the land from Staffordshire to Bristol.

He travelled to Ireland because he knew that St Patrick had found religious guidance there. Bertram ended up falling in love with an Irish Princess. He brought her back to Mercia while she was pregnant.

Whilst travelling through the Moorlands, the princess went into labour. Their child was born in the shelter of Thor's cave in Wetton. But… a tragedy occurred and, whilst Bertram was hunting for food, wolves killed his wife and child. Overcome with grief, he renounced his royal heritage to live a more religious life.

Bertram approached the court of Mercia but did not reveal that he was their King. He asked for some land on which to build a hermitage – a spiritual place that isolates people from the rest of the world, so they can be closer to God. This land was granted near Stafford.

St Bertram's Well & Holy Cross graveyard

Barthomley and Ilam

Bertram is also linked to the village of Barthomley in present day Cheshire. It is said that Bertram, having dedicated his life to Christ, was sought out by the devil who tempted him to turn stones into bread. In 1516 it was said that those stones were still in the church at Barthomley – although they are no longer there.

Bertram was known in Staffordshire and Cheshire as a wise and holy man. Many people went to him for spiritual advice, at his retreat in Stafford, but he was always a hermit at heart. He found a cave in Ilam, in the Staffordshire Moorlands, and lived there until his death. He was buried within Ilam Holy Cross Church and tourists still visit his grave today.