For the final session of our winter Afternoon Author events we were delighted to welcome local author Jonathan Crofts, who was joined by Monica, his wife and editor of The Portsmouth Connection. Jonathan provided us with some fascinating insights and stories that he unearthed during his time researching the history of the Eggesford Estate and the Earls of Portsmouth.

Jonathan began by introducing Monica, describing a little bit about her 40-year career as an editor. He then went on to share some insights on his own career working for the BBC’s Drama production team, before moving into writing books, the first of which was Meadows, Mansions and Munitions, Stories and Lives of Cambridge Park. Jonathan explained how the Earls of Portsmouth crest above the door of the house that he and Monica had bought in the village of Chawleigh had sparked his interest to learn more about the history of the house and that had eventually led to him writing the book.

Jonathan illustrated his talk with photos from the book and the stories related to the photos.  We learnt that in its heyday the Eggesford Estate owned around 16,000 acres across 30 villages. Jonathan explained that he had subtitled The Portsmouth Connection as ‘Stories and Lives of Devon Villages and an Aristocratic Estate’.  He shared that the history reveals a tangle of connections between two Devon villages and includes a scandalous nineteenth-century lunacy trial, a countess with literary and activist ambitions, a great Devonshire estate, and the capricious fortunes of wealthy local families and benevolent earls.

A curious set of circumstances circles back from Eveline, the Fifth Countess of Portsmouth, daughter of the Carnarvon family of Highclere Castle, to the Fellowes family and the much-loved TV and film hit Downton Abbey. As part of his research Jonathan had met with Julian Fellowes, who as a member of the House of Lords is friendly with the current Earl of Portsmouth. Julian Fellowes wrote in the forward to the book: “Jonathan Crofts’ book is a treasure trove of connections brought to light through people’s lives and the places they live in.”

From the talk we learnt that the 6^th Earl of Portsmouth, who inherited the estate in 1891, was friendly with a young Winston Churchill and Lord Grey, and that Thomas Hardy had stayed in the house in 1895. Following Monica reading some amusing extracts from the book Jonathan concluded the presentation by explaining that tours of Eggesford House can be arranged – those interested in joining a tour should contact him at [email protected].

Jonathan responded to questions about the methods and sources he had used for his detailed research. Several audience members, some of whom had lived or are still living on parts of the Eggesford Estate, complimented him on the extensive details he had provided within the book. Jonathan then signed copies of his book for his audience – we have copies available online HERE or from visiting the bookshop. We thank all of our customers who joined us on the afternoon and to Jonathan for providing such an interesting and engaging presentation.

We will be back with four more Afternoon Author events in March and April – look out for details on our website, in the shop and on our social media posts.