John Bradshaw (judge) facts for kids

John Bradshaw (born July 12, 1602 – died October 31, 1659) was an English judge. He is best known for being the leader of the court that tried King Charles I. He was also the first head of the Council of State for the English Commonwealth. This was the government that ruled England after the King.

Quick facts for kids Lord President of the Council of State John Bradshaw
19th century engraving of John Bradshaw by George Perfect Harding
President of the Council of State
In office 12 March 1649 – 29 December 1651
Preceded by	Pro tempore Oliver Cromwell
Succeeded by	Bulstrode Whitelocke
Lord President of High Court of Justice
In office 10 January 1649 – 30 January 1649
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 1658–1659
Preceded by	Thomas Fell
Succeeded by	William Lenthal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
In office 1649–1654
Preceded by	Gilbert Gerrard
Succeeded by	Thomas Fell
Chief Justice of Chester and North Wales
Preceded by	Sir Thomas Milward
Succeeded by	Sir Timothy Turner
Personal details
Born	15 July 1602 Wyberslegh Hall, England
Died	31 October 1659 (aged 57) Westminster Abbey, England
Resting place	Initially, Westminster Abbey
Spouse	Mary Marbury
Education	King's School, Macclesfield
Alma mater	Gray's Inn

Early Life and Education

John Bradshaw was born in 1602. He was the second son of Henry Bradshaw and Catherine Winnington. He was likely born at Wyberslegh Hall near Stockport, England. He was baptized on December 10 in Stockport Church.

As a child, John went to free schools in Stockport, Bunbury, and Middleton. He also attended The King's School, Macclesfield. There's a story that he wrote a special poem on a gravestone:

"My brother Henry must heir the land,

My brother Frank must be at his command;

Whilst I, poor Jack, will do that

That all the world will wonder at!"

John Bradshaw trained to become a lawyer in Congleton. He worked as a clerk for an attorney there. The White Lion public house in Congleton has a special sign that says he worked there.

After studying law in London, he became a full lawyer on April 23, 1627. He worked as a lawyer in Congleton and later became the mayor in 1637. A famous writer named John Milton said that Bradshaw was very good at his job.

On January 3, 1638, John Bradshaw married Mary Marbury. Between 1640 and 1643, he moved to London. In 1643, he became a judge for the London sheriff's court. He held this job until he died. In 1648, he became the Chief Justice of Chester and North Wales.

The King's Trial

In 1649, John Bradshaw was chosen to lead the special court that would try King Charles I. Other important lawyers had said no to this job.

Bradshaw was a surprising choice for this important role. Some people thought he was a good judge, while others did not. The King himself had never heard of Bradshaw before the trial.

Bradshaw did not come to the court until the third meeting. He said he had been out of London and felt he wasn't ready for such a big task. During the trial, he had a large personal guard and carried a sword. He wore special red robes and a hat that was said to be bulletproof.

King Charles I refused to accept that the court had the power to try him. He would not enter a plea. After the court found King Charles I guilty, Bradshaw did not let the King speak any more words. This was a tradition at the time for people who had been found guilty.

It is said that Bradshaw ate at Odstone Hall, a property he owned, after signing the paper that ordered the King's punishment in 1649.

Leading the Commonwealth

On March 12, 1649, Bradshaw was chosen to lead the English Council of State. This group acted as the government of England after the King was no longer in charge. It was like the new executive branch of the country.

From August 1, 1649, Bradshaw also held the job of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. As the leader of the Council, he oversaw trials for important supporters of the King. He was rewarded well for his work.

After wars in Scotland and Ireland, the Parliament had not held new elections. On April 30, 1653, Oliver Cromwell decided to end Parliament and the Council. Cromwell then became the new leader, called the Lord Protector. Bradshaw disagreed with Cromwell and left his job in 1654.

Bradshaw strongly believed in a republic, where the country is ruled by elected officials, not a king. He became an opponent of Cromwell's rule. In 1654, he was elected to Parliament for two areas, but he refused to promise to support Cromwell's new government. So, he did not take his seat.

After Oliver Cromwell died in 1658, his son Richard became the new Lord Protector. Richard Cromwell gave Bradshaw his old job back as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Bradshaw was elected to Parliament again in 1659. That same year, Bradshaw became very sick and moved to Westminster.

John Bradshaw died on October 31, 1659, at the age of 57. He was buried with great honors at Westminster Abbey. Before he died, Bradshaw said that if he had to try the King again, he would be "the first man in England to do it."

After His Death

When King Charles II returned to power in 1660, he ordered a symbolic punishment for those involved in his father's trial. On January 30, 1661, the remains of Bradshaw, Cromwell, and Henry Ireton were dug up. They were publicly displayed as a punishment. Their remains were then put into a common burial spot.

The remains of Bradshaw's wife were also moved from Westminster Abbey. They were reburied in a common pit with other Parliament supporters.

Connection to Jamaica

Some stories say that John Bradshaw's son, James or John Bradshaw, secretly moved his father's remains. He is said to have reburied them on a hill near the Martha Brae River in Jamaica. The spot was marked with a cannon. This place is now known as "Gun Hill."

A quote, "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God," is often linked to John Bradshaw. It was found with the cannon on Gun Hill.

His Legacy

Some thinkers have supported Bradshaw's actions. However, many legal experts, like Michael Kirby, have said that the court that tried King Charles I was not legal.

But in 2005, a lawyer named Geoffrey Robertson wrote a book about John Cook, the prosecutor at the trial. Robertson argued that while the court might have been illegal at the time, it was important for future ideas about human rights law. He suggested that the people involved in the trial should be admired for their actions.