The Tufton Family of Hothfield during the English Civil War

Sir John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet

John Tufton with his wife Margaret

Free Talk: 11th October 2019 7.30pm, St Margaret's Church

Hothfield History Society invites you to attend our illustrated public talk by Dr Janet Pennington

Sir John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet, had a tough time during the Civil War, particularly during the years of 1642-1648.  He supported King Charles I and became a marked man in Kent - a ‘Delinquent’ - and his estates were sequestrated by the Parliamentary side.  His lands at Hothfield in Kent, Northiam and Wiston in Sussex were pillaged by soldiers of both sides. He went to Spa for a year ‘for his health’, leaving his pregnant wife Margaret and young children behind at Wiston House in Sussex.  This talk explains just what happened to one family during these turbulent times.

The talk is being held in the historic setting of Hothfield Church within the grounds of the former country seat of the Tufton family and where Sir John’s grandfather built a magnificent tomb for the family.  Visitors will be welcome to tour the church and admire the colourful tomb.

Janet is the historian for the Wiston Estate in Sussex and has researched the Tufton family’s difficult existence during the Civil War through documentary evidence both at the West Sussex Record Office and the Kent Record Office.

Please come along to find out more and to ask questions.  All welcome.  Admission is free.  Talk lasts about 45 minutes.  Tea/coffee available.  The church is wheelchair accessible.