Bringing the story of Frederick to Shepton Mallet

I was SO delighted to be invited to give a talk about the book in the church of St Peter & St Paul in Shepton Mallet. The invitation came from the local History Society and the Church of  St Peter & St Paul who worked together to make the event happen.

Shepton Mallet had been a very important location for Frederick Blomberg, the 'Master Frederick' of the book.  Having grown up within the royal household at Richmond and become best friends with Prince George he was sent to Cambridge to study Divinity. He was then ordained and, at the age of 23, King George III granted Frederick his first living which was the very desirable parish of Shepton Mallet in Somerset.

Frederick was rector of the parish for many years from the early 1780s to the 1830s. During his time there he visited Bath for the Season and met his future wife, Maria Floyer and they were married there in 1787. The couple lived in the rectory at Shepton Mallet and became very important members of the community.

And below is a picture of me standing in the ancient pulpit of St Peter & St Paul's although I gave the talk at ground level!

Ros
​March 2026