Highclere Insider : David Sox- The Man Who Knew Too Much
A NEW BOOK IN 2022 BY WILLIAM CROSS, FSA SCOT
William Cross, FSA
Scot, author of several books on the Carnarvons of Highclere, investigates the story of
the missing biography of Almina, Countess of Carnarvon, written by Rev H
David Sox, a visitor guide at Highclere Castle in the 1990s. The biography was
never published. Cross reveals why and
investigates the trail of lies, deceit and hypocrisy by Sox and other biographers
in writing the controversial life of
Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon.
Who was Lady Almina's Father?
Yes, who is Lady Almina Carnarvon’s Father
William Cross, author of ” The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon” : A Candid Biography of the 5th Countess of Carnarvon writes:
In several paragraphs of my biography of Almina, “ The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon” I present the detailed outcome of my researches into the question of who is her father? There is no other analysis of this question in any other book, with the possible exception of Derek Wilson’s landmark study of the Rothschilds “ Rothschild: A Study of Wealth and Power ” .
Almina was born in 1876. The name of Frederick Charles Wombwell is the one that is given as her father on her birth certificate, ( and an event that was not registered UNTIL FOUR YEARS AFTER HER BIRTH ) On Frederick’s death bed in 1889 he touchingly left tokens of esteem to his darling daughter, Almina. Almost certainly Almina didn’t see Frederick’s sentimental offering or the tender, loving message he imparted with it. Almina’s mother, the ambitious Marie Boyer ( who had married Frederick Wombwell in 1868 ) was too keen to climb the social ladder, through her scapegoat, the queer banker, Baron Alfred de Rothschild.
There are those who contend that it was the “ petit maite” Alfred, who was Almina’s real father. No evidence of substance is offered by them. A physical resemblance between Alfred and Almina is suggested. The latest biography of the Countess, entitled “ Lady Almina…..” is particularly lame in only saying to back up the bold assertion “ the question of Almina’s paternity can’t be conclusively determined with any certainty….”
There’s another negative element to highlight from one of the Rothschild insiders, albeit now deceased – and it was this informant who observed in writing that Almina did NOT look like any of the other Rothschild women. However, the same correspondent pleads some recognition be made over Almina’s daughter Lady Evelyn Herbert’s “ looks”. She does portray a stronger edged look – some see Jewish- some see oriental – some see a Wombwell. To ensure that the full residue of genetic material is included - one ought also to sweep in a certain French, North African and Spanish American appearance. Comments welcome?
Fuller details of this and other matters surrounding Lady Almina's paternity can be found in “ The Life and Secrets of Almina Carnarvon” : A Candid Biography of Almina, 5th Countess of Carnarvon of Tutankhamun fame. By William Cross, FSA Scot
Contact Will also by e-mail
