Imagine if your son was tasked with imprisoning the Monarch here on the Isle of Wight. How would you feel?

Come and join Author Jan Toms (To Serve Two Masters) who will be Mrs Hammond for an hour, and give us a Mother’s point of view about this extraordinary time in the history of Britain on the Isle of Wight.

TO SERVE TWO MASTERS- In early 1642, 20 year old Robert Hammond was a serving soldier in Ireland with the king’s army. That August, King Charles threw down the gauntlet declaring war on his parliament and before the year was over Hammond was back in England, now a captain with the newly formed parliamentary forces. 

His was a family divided. His brother John and uncle, Thomas chose the parliament’s side while his uncle, Henry became chaplain to the king. Later, Henry was to introduce his nephew to King Charles, a meeting that may well have decided the course of the king’s life.

On display at Mrs Middleton’s Shop, is an original pamphlet depicting the letters sent to Parliament by King Charles and Colonel Hammond offering a plea- bargain for his freedom. It didn’t work!