Ambrose Rookwood (Jacobite) facts for kids
Ambrose Rookwood (born 1664, died 1696) was an English soldier who supported the Jacobite cause. He was involved in a secret plan in 1696 to harm William III of Great Britain, who was the king at the time. Rookwood was found guilty of his part in this plan and was executed.
Early Life and Military Career
Ambrose Rookwood was born on September 20, 1664. His father was also named Ambrose Rookwood. The family lived in Dunton, Essex. He was also related to another famous Ambrose Rookwood, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot many years earlier.
Ambrose Rookwood joined the army. He quickly moved up in rank. He became a brigadier, which is a high-ranking officer. He served under King James II.
Involvement in the Plot
Rookwood remained loyal to the House of Stuart, the royal family that James II belonged to. In early 1696, a man named Sir George Barclay asked Rookwood to join a secret plan. This plan was to capture or harm King William III.
However, the plan was discovered. In February, one of the people involved, Thomas Prendergast, told the authorities about it. On March 27, Rookwood was found and arrested. He was then sent to Newgate Prison.
The Trial
On April 7, Rookwood was formally accused of a serious crime against the king. He was brought to court on April 21. His case was heard along with two other men, Robert Lowick and Charles Cranburn.
This trial was important because it used new rules. These rules allowed the accused person to have lawyers to help defend them. Rookwood said he was not guilty. He was defended by two lawyers, Sir Bartholomew Shower and Constantine Phipps.
However, another person involved in the plot, George Porter, gave evidence against Rookwood. In the end, Rookwood was found guilty.
Execution
Ambrose Rookwood was executed on April 29, 1696. He was executed at Tyburn, along with Lowick and Cranburn. Before his death, he gave a written statement to the sheriff. Some notes about this paper were published later that year.
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