Henry Hammond, Penshurst's most famous churchman and theologian

Private chaplain to King Charles I during his captivity and noted theologian

Dr Henry Hammond was the young rector of Penshurst when England’s Civil War broke out in the 1640s. He tried to rally support for the Royalist cause but had to flee from the village toward Oxford where he produced one of his most famous theological works Practical Catechism in 1644.  King Charles I appointed Hammond as one of his two private chaplains after he was captured by Parliamentary forces loyal to Thomas Cromwell. Hammond remained at the King’s side to his end.

Hammond was himself imprisoned but, respected by both sides of the dispute, he was released to continue his theological studies and works: he produced more than fifty publications during his life, including the first comparisons of versions of the new testament by an English scholar.

See link to Henry Hammond’s Wikipedia entry below. The PLA archive contains the typescript of a 40 page booklet about the life of Henry Hammond, written by John William Packer. It includes a list of his published works and the text of his Will. [Catalogue entry:  http://www.penshurstlivingarchive.org.uk/content/catalogue_item/pla-penshurst-living-archive-group/henry-hammond-civil-war-rector ]