John Bridges (Parliamentarian)
Encyclopedia
John Bridges was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons
in 1654 and 1656. He fought in the Parliamentarian army in the English Civil War
.
Bridges was the eldest son of John Bridges of Alcester, Warwickshire and Hackney, barrister at law, and his wife Elizabeth Holyoake. His great grandfather John Bridges was of an Irish family and settled at South Littleton, Worcestershire in 1558, and later acquired the Alcester estate.
Bridges was an active soldier in the Parliamentary army in the Civil War. In April 1644, he conveyed ammunition into Gloucester while it was under siege from the Royalists. On 11 May 1644 the House of Commons ordered John Bridges, major of foot, to be added to the Committee of Worcestershire on 30 March 1645. They gave him a vote of thanks " for his great services," and appointed him Governor of Warwick Castle and Town on 12 May 1645. He was made Colonel of Boseville's regiment of foot on 24 June 1645. He took part in the siege of Worcester under Colonel Edward Whalley
, and was a parliamentary commissioner to receive its surrender in July 1646. He was ordered to return his forces into winter quarters on 25 November 1646, and was "continued'* as Governor of Warwick Castle on 25 March 1647, and still held the role in 1649. In about 1648 he bought the estate of Hurcott near Kidderminster, from John Evelyn
for £3,400. Information was laid against him on 22 August 1649 that he had captured and concealed 25 waggons, many laden with plate and other treasure, belonging to the late King. He was added to the Committee for dealing with Scandalous and Malignant Ministers in Worcestershire on 24 September 1652.
In 1654, Bridges was elected Member of Parliament
for Worcestershire
in the First Protectorate Parliament
. He was in service in Ireland in 1655 and represented Sligo and Roscommon in the Second Protectorate Parliament
in 1656. He raised a petition on 7 April 1657 when he was Governor of Kilmalloch, for payment for arrears for personal service, which was referred to the Irish Committee, On 21 March 1660 a warrant was issued to pay him £100 "for his expenses in Ireland where he is going on special service".
The allegations that he had carried off 25 waggons of the King's goods returned following the Restoration. In June 1660 Sir Joseph Wagstaffe petitioned the King " that Colonel John Bridges late Governor of Warwick Castle, who detains £50,000 worth of the late King's money and goods, may be excepted out of the Act of Oblivion" and in the same month Charles Talbot laid information against him and others " for seizing the late King's carriages about the time of the Battles of Naseby and Edgehill." On 17 August 1663 Lord Ashley reported that Bridges was "acquitted on a suit brought against him for detaining plate and household goods of the late King". John Strode (Governor of Dover Castle) who had a warrant of 21 August 1663 for a grant of a moiety of what is taken and unaccounted for, and not pardoned by the Act of Indemnity"' persisted in the belief that Bridges should be convicted although Lord Ashley pointed out that Strode "may be encouraged by the grant".
Bridges married Mary Beale daughter of Bartholomew Beale, of Walton, Shropshire in 1635. His grandson Sir Brook Bridges, 1st Baronet
was created baronet
.
House of Commons of England
The House of Commons of England was the lower house of the Parliament of England from its development in the 14th century to the union of England and Scotland in 1707, when it was replaced by the House of Commons of Great Britain...
in 1654 and 1656. He fought in the Parliamentarian army in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
.
Bridges was the eldest son of John Bridges of Alcester, Warwickshire and Hackney, barrister at law, and his wife Elizabeth Holyoake. His great grandfather John Bridges was of an Irish family and settled at South Littleton, Worcestershire in 1558, and later acquired the Alcester estate.
Bridges was an active soldier in the Parliamentary army in the Civil War. In April 1644, he conveyed ammunition into Gloucester while it was under siege from the Royalists. On 11 May 1644 the House of Commons ordered John Bridges, major of foot, to be added to the Committee of Worcestershire on 30 March 1645. They gave him a vote of thanks " for his great services," and appointed him Governor of Warwick Castle and Town on 12 May 1645. He was made Colonel of Boseville's regiment of foot on 24 June 1645. He took part in the siege of Worcester under Colonel Edward Whalley
Edward Whalley
Edward Whalley was an English military leader during the English Civil War, and was one of the regicides who signed the death warrant of King Charles I of England.-Early career:The exact dates of his birth and death are unknown...
, and was a parliamentary commissioner to receive its surrender in July 1646. He was ordered to return his forces into winter quarters on 25 November 1646, and was "continued'* as Governor of Warwick Castle on 25 March 1647, and still held the role in 1649. In about 1648 he bought the estate of Hurcott near Kidderminster, from John Evelyn
John Evelyn
John Evelyn was an English writer, gardener and diarist.Evelyn's diaries or Memoirs are largely contemporaneous with those of the other noted diarist of the time, Samuel Pepys, and cast considerable light on the art, culture and politics of the time John Evelyn (31 October 1620 – 27 February...
for £3,400. Information was laid against him on 22 August 1649 that he had captured and concealed 25 waggons, many laden with plate and other treasure, belonging to the late King. He was added to the Committee for dealing with Scandalous and Malignant Ministers in Worcestershire on 24 September 1652.
In 1654, Bridges was elected Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
for Worcestershire
Worcestershire (UK Parliament constituency)
Worcestershire was a county constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of England then of the Parliament of Great Britain from 1707 to 1800 and of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1801 to 1832. It was represented until 1832 by two Members of Parliament, traditionally referred...
in the First Protectorate Parliament
First Protectorate Parliament
The First Protectorate Parliament was summoned by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell under the terms of the Instrument of Government. It sat for one term from 3 September 1654 until 22 January 1655 with William Lenthall as the Speaker of the House....
. He was in service in Ireland in 1655 and represented Sligo and Roscommon in the Second Protectorate Parliament
Second Protectorate Parliament
The Second Protectorate Parliament in England sat for two sessions from 17 September 1656 until 4 February 1658, with Thomas Widdrington as the Speaker of the House of Commons...
in 1656. He raised a petition on 7 April 1657 when he was Governor of Kilmalloch, for payment for arrears for personal service, which was referred to the Irish Committee, On 21 March 1660 a warrant was issued to pay him £100 "for his expenses in Ireland where he is going on special service".
The allegations that he had carried off 25 waggons of the King's goods returned following the Restoration. In June 1660 Sir Joseph Wagstaffe petitioned the King " that Colonel John Bridges late Governor of Warwick Castle, who detains £50,000 worth of the late King's money and goods, may be excepted out of the Act of Oblivion" and in the same month Charles Talbot laid information against him and others " for seizing the late King's carriages about the time of the Battles of Naseby and Edgehill." On 17 August 1663 Lord Ashley reported that Bridges was "acquitted on a suit brought against him for detaining plate and household goods of the late King". John Strode (Governor of Dover Castle) who had a warrant of 21 August 1663 for a grant of a moiety of what is taken and unaccounted for, and not pardoned by the Act of Indemnity"' persisted in the belief that Bridges should be convicted although Lord Ashley pointed out that Strode "may be encouraged by the grant".
Bridges married Mary Beale daughter of Bartholomew Beale, of Walton, Shropshire in 1635. His grandson Sir Brook Bridges, 1st Baronet
Sir Brook Bridges, 1st Baronet
Sir Brook Bridges, 1st Baronet, FRS was a British barrister. He held the office of Auditor of the Imprest of the Treasury.He was admitted to Middle Temple on 25 April 1713....
was created baronet
Bridges Baronets
The Bridges Baronetcy, of Goodnestone in the County of Kent, was created in the Baronetage of Great Britain on 19 April 1718 for Brook Bridges. His son the second Baronet, died in 1733 whilst in office as High Sheriff of Kent. His grandson, the third Baronet, represented Kent in the House of Commons...
.