Edward Cludd facts for kids
Edward Cludd (1603–1678) was an important person in England during a time when the country didn't have a king. He was a local official called a Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped keep order and enforce laws. He also represented his area, Nottingham, in the country's main law-making group, the Parliament. Edward Cludd strongly supported the Parliament's side, known as the Parliamentary cause, during the English Civil War.
Edward Cludd's Life
Edward Cludd was born in a place called Arnold. He lived in a house he built himself, which was named Norwood Park. As a Justice of the Peace, he had the power to marry people. It's said he married many couples under a special oak tree in Norwood Park. This tree became famous and was known as "Cludd's Oak."
Cludd and the English Civil War
During the First Civil War, Edward Cludd was a very important and powerful person in the Nottingham area. He invited important people from Scotland, called the Commissioners of Scotland, to stay and hold their meetings in a large church building in Southwell.
Cludd also loved old buildings and was friends with Oliver Cromwell, a very powerful leader at the time. Because of his interest in history and his friendship with Cromwell, he helped save Southwell Cathedral from being destroyed during the war. This was a big achievement, as many old buildings were damaged or ruined during that period.
Serving in Parliament
Later, when Oliver Cromwell ruled England as "Lord Protector" (a time known as the Protectorate, from 1653 to 1659), Edward Cludd continued to serve his country. He was a member of Parliament for Nottingham. He sat in two different Parliaments during this time: the Barebones Parliament in 1653 and the Second Protectorate Parliament from 1657 to 1658.
A writer named William Dickinson described Edward Cludd as a "very moderate, temperate man." This means he was calm and not extreme in his opinions. Dickinson also said that Cludd was not against having a king, but he strongly disagreed with how King Charles I was ruling the country.
