John Hewett (chaplain)
Encyclopedia
Revd Dr John Hewett (September 1614–8 June 1658) was chaplain to Charles I and executed for treason as a Royalist.
He was born in Eccles, Lancashire, the son of clothworker Thomas Hewett and educated in nearby Bolton. He was awarded a degree of DD in 1643 by Oxford University, where he served as a chaplain to Charles I
.
He then became chaplain to Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey
, at Havering in Essex, before moving to London, where he preached to larger congregations. He was openly loyal to the exiled King Charles II
, and was involved in the secret preparations for his return.
In April 1658 a fellow sympathiser, John Stapley
, confessed to Cromwell
that, thanks to Hewett, he had been offered funds to raise an army to support the return of King Charles. Hewett was arrested, along with Lord Mordaunt
and Sir Henry Slingsby and brought to trial, refusing to plead and claiming the right to trial by jury. The court however sentenced Hewett and Slingsby to be beheaded for treason and three other less wellborn conspirators to be hung, drawn and quartered. Lord Mordaunt was narrowly acquitted on a technicality. The beheadings were carried out on Tower Hill.
Hewett had married twice; firstly Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Skinner of London, with whom he had three children and secondly Mary, daughter of Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey
, with whom he had two daughters who died young. His eldest son John became a merchant in Barbados.
He was born in Eccles, Lancashire, the son of clothworker Thomas Hewett and educated in nearby Bolton. He was awarded a degree of DD in 1643 by Oxford University, where he served as a chaplain to Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
.
He then became chaplain to Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey
Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey
Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey, 15th Baron Willoughby de Eresby, KG, PC was the eldest son of Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey and his wife Elizabeth Montagu, daughter of Edward Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Boughton.-Early life:...
, at Havering in Essex, before moving to London, where he preached to larger congregations. He was openly loyal to the exiled King Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
, and was involved in the secret preparations for his return.
In April 1658 a fellow sympathiser, John Stapley
John Stapley
Sir John Stapley, 1st Baronet of Patcham , was a Royalist who plotted with members of the Sealed Knot to overthrow the Protector Oliver Cromwell and restore Charles II of England to the throne, but when questioned by Cromwellians he disclosed the plot and betrayed the other members...
, confessed to Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
that, thanks to Hewett, he had been offered funds to raise an army to support the return of King Charles. Hewett was arrested, along with Lord Mordaunt
John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt
John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt was an English royalist.He was born in Lowick, the second son of John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough and Elizabeth Howard John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt (18 June 1626 – 5 June 1675) was an English royalist.He was born in Lowick, the second son of John...
and Sir Henry Slingsby and brought to trial, refusing to plead and claiming the right to trial by jury. The court however sentenced Hewett and Slingsby to be beheaded for treason and three other less wellborn conspirators to be hung, drawn and quartered. Lord Mordaunt was narrowly acquitted on a technicality. The beheadings were carried out on Tower Hill.
Hewett had married twice; firstly Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Skinner of London, with whom he had three children and secondly Mary, daughter of Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey
Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey
Robert Bertie, 1st Earl of Lindsey was an English peer, soldier and courtier.-Early life:...
, with whom he had two daughters who died young. His eldest son John became a merchant in Barbados.