Henry Powle facts for kids

Henry Powle (born October 18, 1630 – died November 21, 1692) was an important English lawyer and politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's Parliament, at different times between 1660 and 1690. He was even the Speaker of the House of Commons from 1689 to 1690. He also held a high legal position called Master of the Rolls.

Early Life and Education

Henry Powle was born in 1630 in Shottesbrooke, Berkshire. His father, also named Henry Powle, was a sheriff for Berkshire. Henry went to Christ Church, Oxford, a famous university, in 1646. He then studied law at Lincoln's Inn starting in 1647. He became a barrister, which is a type of lawyer, in 1654. In April 1660, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cirencester. This was for a special Parliament called the Convention Parliament.

Serving in Parliament under King Charles II

On January 3, 1671, Powle was elected as an MP for Cirencester again. This time it was for the Cavalier Parliament. He owned property in Gloucestershire and was known for being from that area.

He first spoke in Parliament in February 1673. He criticized how new elections were being called without the Speaker's permission. Because of his efforts, these elections were cancelled. Powle also spoke against the Declaration of Indulgence. This was a plan by King Charles II of England to allow more religious freedom. Powle believed that certain laws against Catholics and other religious groups should stay in place.

Powle became known as someone who opposed the King's policies. He did not support the King's idea that he could ignore laws. Powle helped pass the Test Act in March, which placed restrictions on people who were not part of the Church of England.

In October, Powle led the opposition against the King's brother, the Duke of York, marrying Princess Mary of Modena. The King quickly stopped Parliament from meeting because of this. However, Powle's motion against the marriage was passed before Parliament was officially closed.

A week later, Parliament met again. Powle suggested that they should not give the King money until problems with Catholic favorites and a standing army were fixed. He also criticized the King's advisors, especially Anglesey and Lauderdale. The next year, he spoke out against the George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, helping to remove him from office.

In May 1677, Powle suggested that England should form an alliance with the Dutch. In February 1678, when Parliament sent a message to the King about this alliance, Charles was angry. He called them to Whitehall Palace. When they returned, Powle tried to speak, but the Speaker, Sir Edward Seymour, said Parliament was closed by the King's order. Powle insisted on speaking, and the Speaker quickly left. When Parliament met again, Powle said the Speaker's actions threatened Parliament's freedom.

In May 1678, when Charles asked Parliament for money, Powle again insisted that they discuss problems first. Powle supported the removal of Danby from office. However, during the excitement of the Popish Plot, he stayed out of the spotlight.

Powle was elected for both Cirencester and East Grinstead in the First Exclusion Parliament in March 1679. He chose to represent Cirencester. The King refused to accept Seymour as Speaker. Powle argued that the King did not have this power. During the discussion, Powle himself was suggested as Speaker, but this did not happen. Finally, Serjeant Gregory was chosen. This new Parliament continued to challenge Danby. Historians noted that Powle and Lyttleton were very skilled in leading discussions in the House of Commons. Powle also had discussions with the French ambassador, Paul Barillon, about political matters.

After Danby was sent to the Tower of London, King Charles tried a new way of governing with a new group of advisors. Powle was one of five commoners who joined this group in April 1678. In the Second Exclusion Parliament, called for October 1679, Powle was again elected for Cirencester. However, Parliament was delayed many times without meeting. Powle then left the King's advisory group in April.

Parliament finally met in October 1680. Powle immediately criticized the chief justice, William Scroggs. Scroggs had stopped a jury from looking into charges against the Duke of York. In the debates about the Exclusion Bill, which aimed to prevent the Duke of York from becoming king, Powle was careful to keep open communication with the King. However, in December 1680, he strongly participated in the actions against Lord Stafford. Powle was elected for East Grinstead for Charles's Oxford Parliament in March 1681. After this, he was less involved in politics until the Glorious Revolution.

Serving in Parliament under William and Mary

Henry Powle was a member of the Royal Society, a group for scientists and thinkers. He likely traveled abroad before the Glorious Revolution. He gained the trust of William III, who was then the Prince of Orange. In December 1688, Powle and Sir Robert Howard had a long, private meeting with Prince William at Windsor.

When William called together former members of Parliament and city officials, Powle led 160 former members of the House of Commons. They met at Westminster to decide how to call a free Parliament. Powle was chosen as their chairman. He clearly stated that "the wish of the prince is sufficient warrant for our assembling." The next morning, he read messages to William, asking him to take over the government and call a special meeting called a convention.

For this Convention Parliament, Powle was elected for Windsor along with Sir Christopher Wren, a famous architect. Powle was chosen as the Speaker of the House, beating his old opponent, Sir Edward Seymour, on January 22, 1689.

Powle's speech at the start of the convention was very important for later discussions. As Speaker, he congratulated William and Mary when they were crowned King and Queen in April 1689. He also presented the Bill of Rights to William in December 1689. This important document set out the rights of Parliament and the people. Powle was also one of eight commoners asked to join William's first group of private advisors. In March 1690, when new judges were appointed, Powle received the important position of Master of the Rolls.

While the convention was meeting, William relied on Powle's advice. Powle was elected for Cirencester again for William's first regular Parliament, which met in March 1690. However, he was not re-elected Speaker and later lost his seat after a challenge. Powle then focused on his duties as Master of the Rolls. He successfully argued that he should be allowed to attend Parliament as an advisor to the House of Lords. He spoke in the House of Lords in favor of the Abjuration Bill in April 1690. This bill required people to swear loyalty to William and Mary.

Death

Henry Powle died on November 21, 1692. He was buried in Quenington church in Gloucestershire. A monument was put up to remember him there. It describes him as Master of the Rolls and a judge for admiralty cases.

Legacy and Interests

Henry Powle was highly respected for his knowledge of history, law, and old documents. With the help of John Bagford, he built a large collection of manuscripts and records. Some of these are now part of the Lansdowne collection in the British Museum. Other parts of his collection were later owned by other important people. Powle's family crest was placed in the window of the Rolls Chapel and also in Lincoln's Inn hall.

Personal Life

Henry Powle married his first wife, Elizabeth, in 1659. She was the daughter of the first Lord Newport. Elizabeth died in 1672 and was buried in Quenington. His second wife was Frances, a daughter of Lionel Cranfield, 1st Earl of Middlesex. She was also the widow of Richard Sackville, 5th Earl of Dorset.

With his first wife, Henry Powle had one child, a daughter named Katharine. She married Henry, the eldest son of Henry Ireton. Katharine inherited the family estates of Quenington and Williamstrop.

Henry Powle's brother, Richard Powle, was also an MP for Berkshire from 1660 to 1661. He was knighted in 1661 and died in 1678.

In 1676–7, Powle bought the Ramsbury Manor estate in Wiltshire. He later sold most of the land and, in 1681, sold the main house and its park to Sir William Jones.