| Share page |
|
ITS MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT. |
35 |
||
|
elected and well returned to serve for East Grinstead, and ought to be admitted to sit. On Dec. 24th a similar report was presented in regard to Mr. Goodwin. Accordingly they were called to their seats. This was the memorable " Long Parliament," which met on Nov. 30th, 1640. The Civil War broke out on Aug. 22nd, 1642, and on Jan. 30th, 1648-9, Charles I. was beheaded, but the Parliament, or such as remained of it, for its Members were less than 100 in number, continued sitting until it was personally expelled by Cromwell on April 20th, 1653. Lord Richard was a Royalist, who afterwards became fifth Earl of Dorset. He was born Sept. 16th, 1622, so was only 18 when returned for East Grinstead. When the Civil War broke out he joined the King's forces and on Sept. 12th, 1645, was disabled for continuously absenting himself from the service of the House. After Cromwell's death he became the leader of the Royal party and was one of those mainly instrumental in bringing about the peaceful restoration of the Monarchy.
1645, Oct. 10th. John Baker.
This was the by-election held to fill the vacancy caused by the disablement of Lord Buckhurst. There was at this time trouble about the office of Bailiff of East Grinstead. Mr. Cole and Mr. Bowyer both claimed to hold the position; the former returned Mr. Pickering as Member, the latter Mr. Baker. In February of the following year the matter came before the House, and it was decided that Mr. Cole had no claim to the office of Bailiff; that Mr. Bowyer had, and that therefore Mr. Baker was the proper person to sit for East Grinstead.
1653. In this year the "Barebones" Parliament assembled, but it does not appear that East Grinstead was represented therein. Cromwell called together an assembly of 140 nominees, " men faithful, fearing God and hating covetousness." This Parliament soon voluntarily resigned. Cromwell now became Lord Protector, and called his first real Parliament to meet on September 3rd, 1654. This was dissolved without passing
v 2 |
|||