In the Spirit of Desmond Morton

The name “Earlylands” pays homage to Desmond Morton, an overlooked yet highly influential counselor to a variety of senior British statesmen in the run-up to the Second World War. Morton’s greatest impact was arguably in his role in the 1930s as a backroom conduit for various British prime ministers to Winston Churchill, then in his “wilderness years.” Morton regularly provided the future prime minister with valuable intelligence about pressing global matters, particularly the threat posed by Nazi Germany, while feeding Churchill’s thoughts back into formal government channels. The two men developed a rapport and trust that extended well into the war itself. Their engagements occurred most often at Churchill’s country estate, Chartwell, which was located within walking distance of Morton’s own home: Earlylands.

It is in the spirit of Desmond Morton and his commitment to discretion, candor, and loyalty that we operate.