Mystery of John Hampden’s final resting place to be revealed

FOLLOWING years of research, the mystery of the whereabouts of the grave of John Hampden is to be revealed.

Following a special church service at Great Hampden later in October 2009, the John Hampden Society intends to reveal the results of research into the final resting place of the statesman known to history as ‘The Patriot’, who was Oliver Cromwell’s cousin.

The Society’s Hon. Treasurer, Derek Lester, and his wife Gill have spent 25 years researching the 360 year-old mystery of the location of John Hampden’s tomb in St. Mary Magdalene Church, high up in the Chilterns, near Great Missenden.

Following his death after the Battle of Chalgrove Field in June 1643, Hampden was buried in the church, but because Great Hampden was in the front line, between Royalists and Parliamentarians, his grave
was unmarked.

In 1828, Hampden’s first biographer, Lord Nugent, exhumed what he thought was Hampden’s body, but doubts arose almost immediately that he had
found the right person, and these have continued ever since.

Following the formation of the John Hampden Society in October 1992, the Lesters embarked on extensive research using a variety of sources, and they are confident that they now know the exact spot where Hampden was interred.

The service, to be held at 11.15am on Sunday, October 25, will be a commemoration of John Hampden’s life. At the end of it Derek Lester will announce the results of his investigations and Lord Hollenden, owner of the Hampden Estate, will lay a wreath on the grave. There will be music by violinists Alexandra and Charlotte Reid.

HISTORICAL NOTE: Derek Lester explained: “John Hampden was a Buckinghamshire MP who resisted the dictatorial policies of King Charles I. He became famous for his refusal to pay the illegal Ship Money tax, and as a result was one of the Five Members whom the King tried to arrest in the House of Commons in 1642.

“At the outbreak of the Civil War Hampden raised a regiment of foot (the Buckinghamshire Greencoats), but was mortally wounded at the Battle of
Chalgrove Field on June 18, 1643, and died in Thame six days later.”