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