Henry Pelham (Speaker) facts for kids
Henry Pelham was an English lawyer and politician who was active in the 1640s. He served as a Member of Parliament, which is like being a representative for people in a specific area. For a short time in 1647, he was even the Speaker of the English House of Commons, a very important job!
Contents
Who Was Henry Pelham?
Henry Pelham was an important figure in English politics during the 1600s. He was known for his work as a lawyer and for serving in the House of Commons, which is a part of the English Parliament.
Early Life and Education
Henry Pelham was the son of Sir William Pelham. His family lived in a place called Brocklesby, in Lincolnshire, England. He went to Trinity College, Cambridge in 1615 to study. After that, he joined Gray's Inn in 1616. Gray's Inn is one of the special places in London where people learn to become lawyers.
Starting in Parliament
Henry Pelham first became a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1621. He represented the town of Grimsby. He was re-elected as the MP for Grimsby several times: in 1625, 1626, and 1628. He continued to serve until 1629. At this time, King Charles I decided to rule England without Parliament for eleven years.
A Time of Change in Parliament
In April 1640, Henry Pelham was elected as an MP again. This time, he represented Grantham in what was called the Short Parliament. Later that same year, in November 1640, he was re-elected for Grantham in the Long Parliament. This Parliament lasted for many years.
Important Roles
From 1640 to 1648, Henry Pelham held the important position of Grand Chamberlain. He also served as the Speaker for a short time in 1647. This happened when the usual Speaker, William Lenthall, had to leave London temporarily. Pelham was also the Recorder of Lincoln. A Recorder is a legal official, often a judge. He held this role until he resigned in 1658.
