John Crew, 1st Baron Crew facts for kids
.jpg)
John Crew, 1st Baron Crew of Stene (born 1598 – died 1679) was an important English lawyer and politician. He was a member of the House of Commons many times between 1624 and 1660. John Crew was a Puritan, a type of Christian, and supported the Parliamentary side during the Civil War. After the war, King Charles II made him a noble, giving him the title of Baron Crew. This happened after the king returned to the throne during the Restoration.
Contents
John Crew's Early Life and Start in Politics
John Crew was born in 1598. His father was Sir Thomas Crew, who was also a politician. Sir Thomas was even the Speaker of the House of Commons. This meant he was in charge of the debates in Parliament.
John Crew studied law at Gray's Inn in 1615. He then went to Magdalen College, Oxford when he was 18. By 1624, he became a lawyer.
Becoming a Member of Parliament
In 1624, John Crew was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Amersham. He was re-elected for Amersham the next year. In 1626, he became the MP for Brackley.
Later, in 1628, he was elected MP for Banbury. He served until 1629. At this time, King Charles I decided to rule without Parliament for eleven years. This was a very unusual time in English history.
John Crew and the English Civil War
In April 1640, Parliament met again, and John Crew was elected MP for Brackley in the Short Parliament. In November 1640, he became the MP for Northamptonshire in the Long Parliament.
Supporting Parliament During the War
The English Civil War began because of disagreements between the King and Parliament. John Crew supported Parliament. He was known as a moderate, meaning he tried to find a middle ground. He was careful about the army's power.
He was chosen to lead the Commons Committee on Religion. In 1645, he was one of the people sent by Parliament to talk with the King's supporters at Uxbridge. After the Scots handed King Charles I to Parliament in 1647, John Crew was one of those who looked after the King at Holdenby House.
Challenges and Return to Parliament
In 1648, army leaders knew John Crew would not agree to put the King on trial. So, they had him arrested. He was removed from Parliament during an event called Pride's Purge.
However, he returned to the House of Commons in 1654. He represented Northamptonshire in the First Protectorate Parliament. But the government removed him again. Despite this, Oliver Cromwell, who was the Lord Protector, asked John Crew to join his new House of Lords in 1658.
After Cromwell's government changed, John Crew returned to Parliament. He was elected again for Northamptonshire in the Convention Parliament in 1660.
Helping the King Return
John Crew was made part of the English Council of State. He was also one of the people sent to meet King Charles II at The Hague. Their job was to arrange for the King to return to England and take back his throne. This event is known as the Restoration.
Later Life and Legacy
On April 20, 1661, King Charles II made John Crew a noble. He was given the title of Baron Crew of Stene. This was to thank him for his help in bringing the King back. After this, he stopped being active in politics.
John Crew was a very rich man. He owned a large house in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London. He was known for being a good host and often had guests. Samuel Pepys, a famous diarist, was a frequent visitor. Pepys mentioned John Crew many times in his diaries.
John Crew passed away in 1679. He was buried at Steane, in Northamptonshire.
John Crew's Family
John Crew married Jemima Waldegrave. She was the daughter of Edward Waldegrave from Lawford Hall in Essex. They had several children together:
- Sir Thomas Crew (1624–1697): He became the 2nd Baron Crew after his father died. He did not have any sons.
- Rev. Nathaniel Crew (1633–1721): He was a Bishop of Durham. He became the 3rd Baron after his older brother, Thomas.
- Jemima (1625–1674): She married Edward Montagu in 1642. He later became the Earl of Sandwich.
- Anne: She married Sir Henry Wright, 1st Baronet, from Dagenham, Essex.
- Reverend Samuel Crew: He died in 1660.
