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'''Harold Davidson''' (1875-1937) was a [[Church of England]] [[priest]] defrocked for immorality in a cause celebre, and famously mauled to death by a lion while taking part in a seaside resort sideshow.
'''Harold Davidson''' (1875-1937) was a [[Church of England]] [[priest]] defrocked for immorality in a cause celebre, and famously mauled to death by a lion while taking part in a seaside resort sideshow.
Davidson had become [[rector]] of the [[Norfolk]] village of [[Stiffkey]] (pronounced ''Stewkey'') in 1906. Almost from the start he formed a special interest in the plight of 'fallen women', spending most of his time in [[London]] where he enjoyed the fast life of the capital, and acquiring the nickname of 'the [[prostitute]]s' padre'. In 1932, exposure in a national newspaper led to the church taking action against Davidson, and he was defrocked (deprived of his ministry) in a ceremony at [[Norwich]] Cathedral.
Davidson had become [[rector]] of the [[Norfolk]] village of [[Stiffkey]] (pronounced ''Stewkey'') in 1906. Almost from the start he formed a special interest in the plight of 'fallen women', spending most of his time in [[London]] where he enjoyed the fast life of the capital, and acquiring the nickname of 'the [[prostitute]]s' padre'. In 1932, exposure in a national newspaper led to the church taking action against Davidson; he was found guilty of misbehaviour with prostitutes and was defrocked (deprived of his ministry) in a solemn ceremony at [[Norwich]] Cathedral.
He then sought to make a living, and gain a platform protesting his innocence, in circus and fairground sideshows. His end came at the [[Lincolnshire]] resort of [[Skegness]], where, while preaching the story of ''Daniel in the Lion's Den'' from a cage of lions, he was seized and killed by one of the lions, named Freddie.
He then sought to make a living, and gain a platform protesting his innocence, in circus and fairground sideshows. His end came at the [[Lincolnshire]] resort of [[Skegness]], where, while preaching the story of ''Daniel in the Lion's Den'' from a cage of lions, he was seized and killed by one of the lions, named Freddie.