The Pen and the Peril: Thomas Hodges, A Clergyman’s Civil War Diary
The mid-17th century in England was an era of seismic upheaval, a time when the very foundations of monarchy, church, and society were violently shaken. Amidst the grand narratives of kings and generals, parliaments and battles, countless individual stories unfolded, many tragically lost to the mists of time. Yet, occasionally, a quiet voice from the past pierces through the din, offering an intimate, visceral glimpse into the daily reality of those tumultuous years. One such voice belongs to Thomas Hodges, a humble Anglican clergyman whose unassuming diary became an invaluable, deeply human testament to the English Civil War.
Hodges, Rector of Kensington and later Provost of Eton College, was no military hero or political strategist. He was, instead, a man of faith, caught in the eye of a devastating ideological storm. His diary, penned with remarkable consistency throughout the conflict, does not recount great battles or state secrets. Instead, it offers something far rarer and, in its own way, more profound: the lived experience of an ordinary, loyal subject struggling to maintain his spiritual and physical existence amidst a nation tearing itself apart. His words, often brief and poignant, paint a vivid picture of personal suffering, unwavering faith, and the sheer tenacity required to survive when one’s world has been irrevocably shattered.
Born around 1600, Thomas Hodges followed a traditional path for an ambitious young man of his time, destined for the Church. He studied at Exeter College, Oxford, where he gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1621 and a Master of Arts in 1624. His early career saw him rise through the ranks, eventually becoming Rector of St. Margaret’s, Kensington, in 1634. At this point, Kensington was not the bustling London borough it is today, but a village on the outskirts, a relatively peaceful rural parish. Hodges settled into his clerical duties, ministering to his flock, performing baptisms, marriages, and burials, and likely enjoying the quiet rhythms of an English country parsonage. His life, by all accounts, was one of stability and burgeoning respectability within the established Church of England.
However, the political and religious landscape of England was far from stable. Tensions between King Charles I and Parliament simmered and then boiled over, fueled by disputes over royal prerogative, taxation, and, crucially, the very nature of religious worship. Charles I’s perceived absolutism and his support for Archbishop William Laud’s High Church Anglican reforms alienated many Puritans and Parliamentarians, who viewed these changes as a slide towards Catholicism and tyranny. By 1642, the simmering discontent erupted into open warfare, dividing families, communities, and the nation itself.
For a loyal Anglican clergyman like Thomas Hodges, the choice was clear, if agonizing. His allegiance lay firmly with the King and the established Church. This loyalty, however, came at a steep price. The Parliamentarian forces, dominant in London and many southern counties, quickly moved to dismantle the Anglican hierarchy and eject those clergy deemed "scandalous," "malignant," or simply Royalist. Hodges, by virtue of his position and his convictions, became a target.
The impact on Hodges’s life was swift and brutal. In 1643, he was ejected from his rectory at Kensington. This was not merely a loss of employment; it was a comprehensive stripping away of his livelihood, his home, and his social standing. His benefice was "sequestered," meaning its revenues were seized by Parliament, leaving him and his family without income or a place to live. He became one of thousands of "ejected ministers," cast out into a hostile world for his fidelity to the King and the Church.
It is at this point that Hodges’s diary truly begins to illuminate his struggle. Far from being a dry chronicle, it is a deeply personal record of his "sufferings." He wrote frequently of his wanderings, his precarious existence, and the constant threat of poverty and persecution. His entries, often concise, speak volumes about the daily anxieties of a man stripped of everything he had known. For example, he might note simply: "My wife and I went to seek a lodging. We found none. God be merciful to us." Or, "No money, no bread. Yet God’s mercies fail not." These are not the words of a man concerned with grand political statements, but of one preoccupied with the immediate, visceral realities of survival.
His diary entries are filled with references to divine providence and his unwavering faith, which served as his anchor in a sea of despair. He saw his tribulations not merely as misfortune but as a test, an opportunity to demonstrate his devotion to God. This spiritual resilience is a recurring theme, highlighting how faith was not just a profession for Hodges, but a vital, active force in his daily life. He frequently observed fast days, prayed for the King, and recorded his spiritual reflections, even as his physical circumstances grew ever more dire.
One of the fascinating aspects of Hodges’s diary is its focus on the mundane alongside the profound. While he records his spiritual struggles and the political turmoil that directly impacted him, he also notes everyday details: the weather, the price of food (often exorbitant), the kindnesses of strangers, and the harshness of others. This blend provides an incredibly rich texture to his account, demonstrating how life, in its fundamental necessities, continued even amidst civil war. His diary reveals that even as battles raged and governments fell, people still needed to eat, find shelter, and seek solace.
Hodges’s account also offers a unique perspective on the Royalist cause from the ground up. While official histories focus on the strategic decisions of Charles I and his commanders, Hodges shows the human cost of that loyalty. He documents the sacrifices made by ordinary people, the risks taken, and the unwavering hope for the King’s return. His diary is a testament to the enduring loyalty of many to the crown, even when it meant personal ruin.
The war dragged on, years passing in a blur of conflict and uncertainty. Hodges continued to move from place to place, relying on the charity of friends and sympathetic parishioners. He often had to hide his identity as an Anglican clergyman, as the Parliamentarian regime grew increasingly hostile towards those who adhered to the old Church. His diary entries become a series of snapshots: moments of fear, brief respites, and continued prayers for an end to the "troubles" and the restoration of order.
The execution of King Charles I in 1649 must have been a devastating blow for Hodges, confirming the worst fears of Royalists and loyal Anglicans. The Commonwealth, and later the Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell, tightened its grip, and the persecution of Anglican clergy continued. Hodges, however, never wavered in his loyalty or his faith. He continued to minister secretly where he could, performing clandestine services and baptisms for those who refused to accept the new religious order.
Then, just as quickly as it had begun, the political tide turned. After Cromwell’s death in 1658, the Protectorate faltered, and the nation, weary of military rule and religious extremism, yearned for stability. In 1660, the monarchy was restored with the return of Charles II, son of the executed king. For Thomas Hodges and thousands like him, it was a moment of immense relief and vindication.
The Restoration brought with it a period of reckoning and reward. Many of the ejected clergy were reinstated, and those who had suffered for their loyalty to the crown were compensated. Thomas Hodges, whose unwavering fidelity had been tested to its limits, was not forgotten. In recognition of his loyalty and suffering, he was appointed Provost of Eton College in 1661. This was a prestigious and comfortable position, a stark contrast to the years of poverty and wandering he had endured.
At Eton, Hodges found the peace and stability that had eluded him for so long. He oversaw the college’s affairs, rebuilt its finances, and contributed to the revival of Anglicanism after the Puritan interregnum. He died in 1672, having lived to see the Church and monarchy he cherished restored. His life arc, from a comfortable rectory to years of destitution and back to a position of honour, perfectly encapsulates the tumultuous journey of many loyal subjects during the Civil War era.
Thomas Hodges’s diary, though not widely known outside of academic circles, remains a vital historical document. It offers a rare ground-level perspective on one of England’s most pivotal periods, complementing the grand narratives with the intimate, often painful, reality of daily life. It reminds us that history is not just about kings and battles, but also about the individual human spirit, its capacity for endurance, faith, and quiet defiance in the face of overwhelming adversity.
In a world increasingly prone to grand narratives and sweeping statements, the humble entries of Thomas Hodges serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of personal testimony. His diary is a testament to the power of the written word to preserve not just facts, but feelings, fears, and unwavering convictions. It allows us to connect with a man from centuries past, to understand his suffering, and to marvel at his resilience. Thomas Hodges, the unsung diarist of Kensington, may not have shaped the course of nations, but his quiet record profoundly enriches our understanding of the human cost of the English Civil War, a voice from the past that continues to resonate with timeless relevance.
