John Bingham (Roundhead) facts for kids
John Bingham (born in 1613, died in 1673) was an important English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, between 1645 and 1659. He also fought as a soldier for the Parliamentary army during the English Civil War.
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Early Life and Education
John Bingham was the son of Richard Bingham and Jane Hopton. His family lived in a place called Bingham's Melcombe in Dorset, England.
When he was 18 years old, John started studying at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1631. A year later, in 1632, he also became a student at the Middle Temple, which was a place where people learned to become lawyers.
Role in the English Civil War
The English Civil War was a big conflict in England. John Bingham played a key role in it. He became a colonel, which is a high-ranking officer, in the army that supported Parliament. His family home, Bingham's Melcombe, was even used as a main base for the local Parliament forces.
Bingham also served as the governor of Poole, a town in England. He helped lead the attack on Corfe Castle, a famous castle that was being defended by the King's supporters.
Serving in Parliament
After his military service, John Bingham became a Member of Parliament (MP). This meant he was chosen to represent people in the government.
- In 1645, he was elected as an MP for Shaftesbury in a group called the Long Parliament.
- He continued to serve in the Rump Parliament after some changes in the government.
- Later, he was chosen to be an MP for Dorset in different parliaments, including the Barebones Parliament in 1653 and the First, Second, and Third Protectorate Parliaments in 1654, 1656, and 1658.
Governor of Guernsey
From 1651 to 1660, John Bingham had another important job. He was the Governor of Guernsey. Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands, located off the coast of France. As governor, he was in charge of the island's affairs.
Family Life
John Bingham was married twice. His first wife was Frances Trenchard. Later, he married Jane Norwood. John Bingham did not have any sons to inherit his family's position. So, after he passed away, his nephew Richard took over.
