Denis Bond (President of the Council) facts for kids
Denis Bond (died 1658) was an English politician who lived a long time ago. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, during two different times between 1640 and 1656. He strongly supported the Parliamentarian side during the English Civil War. He even became the leader, or president, of the Council of State when England was called the Commonwealth.
Early Life and Business
Denis Bond was born to John Bond and Margaret Pitt. His family lived near Steeple, Dorset. Denis Bond became a very successful woollen draper in Dorchester. A woollen draper was someone who sold cloth made from wool.
He was an important person in Dorchester. He served as a bailiff in 1630 and then as the Mayor of the town in 1635. He also helped start the Dorchester Company. This company was one of the first groups to try and set up colonies in New England, which is now part of the United States.
A Busy Politician
In April 1640, Denis Bond was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Dorchester. This was for a short meeting of Parliament called the Short Parliament. He was elected again for Dorchester in November 1640 for the Long Parliament.
When the English Civil War began a few years later, he was a strong supporter of the Parliament. He was so dedicated to the Parliament's cause that he kept his seat in the Rump even after some big changes in 1648. He was a very active member of Parliament. He worked on an amazing 263 different committees!
Important Roles
Denis Bond became good friends with Oliver Cromwell, who was a very powerful leader at the time. Because of this friendship, Bond became a member of the Council of State from 1649 to 1653. The Council of State was like the government's main committee. He was even the president of this council in 1652 and 1653.
He also had another important job. He was the comptroller of the receipts of the Exchequer. This meant he helped manage the money coming into the government. Later, he was elected as a Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1654 and again in 1656.
Family Life
Denis Bond married Joan Gould in 1610. Her brother was also an investor in the Dorchester Company. Their oldest son, John (1612–1676), became a well-known preacher. He also became the head of Trinity Hall, Cambridge and a professor of law. John also served as a Member of Parliament for Weymouth.
After Joan died, Denis Bond married again in 1622 to Lucy Lawrence. Two of their sons, Samuel and Nathaniel (1634–1707), also became Members of Parliament, following in their father's footsteps.
Later Years
Denis Bond passed away in 1658. He was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London where many important people are buried. However, after the English Restoration (when the King returned to power), his body was moved from the Abbey.
