David Sox : Highclere Guide "The Man Who Knew Too Much" : A New Book for 2022

 

Highclere Insider 

David Sox

                 The Man Who Knew Too Much                                

The Rev. Harold David Sox, (1936-2016), was an American,  part-time clergyman, and author of several books on the Shroud of Turin. 

In the 1990s, in the shadow of being snubbed for unprofessional conduct by his colleagues in the Shroud Community, Rev. Sox took a job as a visitor/tour guide at Highclere Castle (the backdrop to TV's "Downton Abbey").   

During his long association with the Turin  Shroud history Sox was charged with  underhand methods of research and leaking secret data to the press on attempts to carbon date the mysterious relic. 

To his delight and bank balance Sox scored a major coup with one of his books on appraising the authenticity of the Turin Shroud  by including classified information that was not to be published.   

Not  quite what you would expect from a man of the cloth. 

Sox was a convincing double dealer. Engaging, dapper, a popular figure with everyone at Highclere Castle working for Henry Porchester, the 7th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.  Visitors adored him, especially Americans.

                                                              

                                             Ophiuchus! The Serpent Bearer

David Sox's style was to "look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it". 

It was well staged. 

 

Sitting Pretty : King Charles I on horseback

Sox very soon had his feet under the dining room table sitting pretty like King Charles I does on his horse inside Highclere Castle.

The Highclere Earl and Countess clearly knew nothing about Sox's chequered past. 

Before too long Sox saw an opportunity to  write a biography of  Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon, the Earl’s beloved ‘granny’ – the widow of the 5th Earl of Old King Tut fame.

The idea of Sox’s biography received the green light. He was given unfettered access to Highclere Archives, and although Almina had died aged 93, in 1969, there were many people still alive who knew her  and numerous sources to tap into about her extraordinary life and times.

Sox's research full speed  ahead. He interviewed many of Almina's family, friends and others but soon found a downside - Almina had several skeletons in the closet.

                                  

                            Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon in her glam period

It became clear that some material supplied to Sox by Almina's godson, the late Tony Leadbetter, was controversial, laced with details of the Countess's colourful life that Highclere could never let enter into the public domain. 

To dwarf  all that,  several people on Highclere Estate and elsewhere told Sox of the rumours around one issue that was the most damaging - that Almina's only son was illegitimate. 

Sox also claimed  he'd found in Highclere Archives details of this  a scandal relating to the paternity of the 6th Earl of Carnarvon.  But Sox was an expect on forgery, did he really find anything in Highclere Archives?

One thing was clear - Sox  was 

 " The Man Who Knew Too Much"

NB : Based on an investigation by William Cross, FSA Scot, author of several book on the Carnarvons, a new book in 2022 will try to provide the answers. 

"Highclere Insider - David Sox : The Man Who Knew Too Much"

ISBN 9781905914746

MORE INFORMATION WANTED

Enquiries about this article contact williecross@aol.com

David Sox : Highclere Insider

The Man Who Knew Too Much

A NEW BOOK BY WILLIAM CROSS FSA SCOT

Rev H. David Sox : Highclere Guide - The Man With Two Faces

 

The Two Faces of Rev. H  David Sox

Highclere Insider - David Sox

 The Man Who Knew Too Much

 An Investigation by William  Cross, FSA Scot

In the 1990s, in the shadow of being snubbed for unprofessional conduct by his past colleagues in the Turin Shroud Community, Rev. H.David Sox,  author and part time clergyman,  took a job as a visitor guide at Highclere Castle working for the 7^th Earl and Countess of Carnarvon.   

Sox soon had his feet under the dining room table, sitting pretty, like King Charles I on his horse. 

Sox was ingenious at acting out his two faces,  one as Mr Nice Guy, the other the Serpent underneath. 

Highclere obviously knew nothing about Sox's chequered past and tarnished reputation.

The new guide soon  saw an opportunity to stand out  from the herd, and  endear himself to  his employers by  writing a biography of  Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon, the 7th Earl’s beloved ‘granny’ – the widow of George Herbert,  the 5th Earl of Old King Tut fame.

Sox's research went ahead, he collected information and interviewed many of Almina's family, friends and enemies.  

Almina had skeletons in the closet. The material Sox unearthed  was highly controversial, laced with details of Almina's  colourful life that Highclere could never let enter the public domain. 

To dwarf it all,  several informants  spoke of  the rumours around one issue that was earth shattering and damning -  namely, that Almina's only son,  Porchey,  later 6th Earl of Carnarvon was illegitimate. 

Sox  had his big headline grabber and - an expert on forgery and faking -  claimed in a letter that he'd found details  in Highclere Archives  to support  the paternity scandal.  

The Carnarvons were troubled. Sox was the man who knew too much. 

The Carnarvons dithered.  In a clever stroke, to provoke  a result,  Sox  sent his  Almina manuscript around would-be publishers. Although there was no mention of the paternity issue it still  portrayed Almina in a very bad light. 

What happened thereafter  and the bizarre events since,  has given rise to decades of leaks, questions and prevarication. 

William Cross, FSA Scot, author of several books on the Carnarvons, investigates the  story and reveals a trail of lies, deceit and hypocrisy.

 

ISBN 10 1905914741  ISBN 13 9781905914746

Published by William P. Cross Book Midden Publishing

Newport Gwent  NP19 7JF, United Kingdom 

THE NEW BOOK WILL BE PUBLISHED IN 2022

EMAIL ENQUIRIES  : williecross@aol.com