Fall from grace highlighted in heritage talk

THE story of Wiston House and its Elizabethan owner's fall from grace will be told at the next Southwick Society Heritage Talk.
Wiston House, Sussex and the extraordinary story of the Elizabethan owner, Sir Thomas Sherley, is Monday's talkWiston House, Sussex and the extraordinary story of the Elizabethan owner, Sir Thomas Sherley, is Monday's talk
Wiston House, Sussex and the extraordinary story of the Elizabethan owner, Sir Thomas Sherley, is Monday's talk

Well-known local historian Janet Pennington will tell the story of Sir Thomas Sherley at Southwick Community Centre, in Southwick Street, Southwick, on Monday at 7.30pm.

Southwick Society secretary Nigel Divers said Sherley was a remarkable man.

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Greatly favoured by Queen Elizabeth I, he was knighted in 1573 then appointed Sheriff of Sussex in 1577.

“He became a very fair local Justice of the Peace and Member of Parliament for Steyning,” said Mr Divers.

“Ten years later, his skills and attributes led him to being appointed treasurer-at-war in the Netherlands. This was a hugely important job in England’s long-running war in support of the Dutch republic against Spain.

“Unfortunately, he succumbed to temptation and used his considerable ‘perks’ to finance luxurious possessions for his newly-built house at Wiston.”

The story of his eventual fall from grace will be illustrated with photographs of Wiston House, portraits and contemporary quotations. Entry is £4, members £2.