The Troublesome Priest: Harold Davidson, Rector of Stiffkey - Hardcover

Tucker, Jonathan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0859553078 ISBN 13: 9780859553070

Publisher: Michael Russell Publishing Ltd, 2007

Synopsis

This book is an account of one of the most extraordinary
scandals of the 20th century. Its principal character was the Reverend
Harold Francis Davidson MA (1875-1937), described by A.J.P. Taylor as a
`parable of the age'. Davidson was one of the most colourful and eccentric
icons of the era and his fall, brought about by a combination of hubris,
poor judgement and church politics, was truly spectacular.

After studying for the priesthood Davidson enjoyed a brief theatrical
career before being appointed vicar of the quiet North Norfolk coastal
village of Stiffkey. He devoted only Saturdays and Sundays to his parish,
spending his weekdays ministering to young theatre girls and prostitutes.
His neglect of his parishioners and his obsession with young girls was
bound to lead to trouble and, in 1932, a complaint was made to the Bishop
of Norwich by a 17 year-old called Barbara Harris. Davidson was
investigated and charged with five counts of immorality under the Clergy
Discipline Act. The trial began in March 1932 and created a sensation,
displacing the rise of Hitler and the Japanese attack on Shanghai from the
headlines.

He was convicted and publicly defrocked, spending the five remaining years
of his life leading a bizarre, tragic existence trying to clear his name.
He first had himself nailed into a barrel on the Blackpool Promenade,
charging curious onlookers 2d. a look to raise money for his appeal. Other
stunts followed but by late 1936 he was broke and decided to sign up with a
lion act at the Skegness Amusement Park. In July 1937 one of them attacked
him. Davidson was pulled from the cage (appropriately enough by a
16-year-old girl), but had broken a bone in his neck and died two days
later.

Even after seventy years the story still arouses intense debate. The author
has investigated claims by Davidson's family that he was the victim of a
miscarriage of justice and discovered that there were grave anomalies in
the trial.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

`This is first and foremost a sensational story, but it was time someone
wrote the measured and well-researched account that Harold Davidson
deserves. I am glad Jonathan Tucker has done so'.
Matthew Parris

Edition details

• Publisher: Michael Russell Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0859553078
• ISBN 13: 9780859553070
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 208