Andrew Broughton facts for kids
Andrew Broughton (born around 1602 or 1603, died 1687) was an important official. He served as the Clerk of the Court during the famous trial of King Charles I of England.
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Biography
We don't know much about Andrew Broughton's early life. He was likely born in Seaton, Rutland. His father was Richard Broughton.
By 1627, Broughton was living in Maidstone, Kent. In 1639, he became the clerk of the peace for Kent. This job was given to him by the Earl of Pembroke. The Earl was a powerful person called the Lord Chamberlain.
Broughton lost his job when the English Civil War began. This was partly because he was involved in important political events. For example, he helped with the process against the Earl of Strafford. He also supported the imprisonment of Geoffrey Palmer. Palmer had protested against a document called the Grand Remonstrance.
Role in the English Civil War
Broughton was part of the Kent county committee starting in 1643. He worked as a lawyer for the town of Maidstone during the first part of the English Civil War. In November 1648, he was chosen as the Mayor of Maidstone.
Just two months later, he got a very important job. He was made the Clerk of the Court for the trial of King Charles I of England. As the Clerk, it was Broughton's job to read out the accusations against the King. He also asked the King to respond to the charges. At the end of the trial, Broughton announced the court's decision.
Life After the King's Trial
During the time when England had no king, called the English Interregnum, Broughton continued in politics. He was a member of the Barebones Parliament. This was a short-lived parliament. He also served on the Council of State for a few months in 1653. Later, he was part of the Third Protectorate Parliament.
When the monarchy was brought back during the English Restoration, Broughton was in danger. A new law, the Indemnity and Oblivion Act, offered a general pardon. However, Broughton was specifically excluded from this pardon. This meant he could be punished, possibly even with his life.
Exile and Later Life
Because of the danger, Broughton had to leave England. Another clerk from the trial, John Phelps, also fled. Reports in 1662 said they were in Hamburg. Later that year, Broughton arrived in Lausanne, Switzerland. Several other people who had been involved in the King's trial were living there too.
In 1664, Broughton traveled to Bern with two other important figures, Edmund Ludlow and Nicholas Love. They went to thank the leaders of Bern for offering them a safe place to live. Broughton stayed in exile for 25 years. He died peacefully in Vevey, Switzerland, in 1687. He was buried in the church of St Martin.
See Also
- Regicide
