John Hewett (chaplain) facts for kids

John Hewett (born September 1614 – died June 1658) was an important religious leader who served King Charles I. He was later put on trial and executed because he supported the King's side during a time of big changes in England.

Early Life and Education

John Hewett was born in a town called Eccles in Lancashire, England. His father, Thomas Hewett, worked with cloth. John went to school in a nearby town called Bolton-le-Moors. He later studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge in 1633. In 1643, he earned a special degree called a D.D. from Oxford University.

Working for the King

While at Oxford, John Hewett became a chaplain to King Charles I. A chaplain is like a religious advisor or minister for a royal family or important person. After working for the King, he became a chaplain for Montagu Bertie, 2nd Earl of Lindsey, at Havering in Essex.

Later, John Hewett moved to London. There, he became a very popular preacher, speaking to many people. He was openly loyal to Prince Charles, who was living outside England at the time. This Prince Charles would later become King Charles II. John Hewett was secretly involved in plans to help Prince Charles return to England and become king.

Facing Trouble with the Government

In April 1658, a person who also supported Prince Charles, named John Stapley, told Oliver Cromwell about John Hewett's activities. Cromwell was the leader of England at that time, and he was against the King's supporters. Stapley confessed that Hewett had offered him money to gather an army to help Prince Charles return.

Because of this, John Hewett was arrested. Two other important people, Lord Mordaunt and Sir Henry Slingsby, were also arrested with him. They were all brought to trial.

The Trial and Its Outcome

During his trial, John Hewett refused to say if he was guilty or not guilty. He said he had the right to a trial by jury, which means being judged by a group of ordinary citizens. However, the court did not agree.

The court decided that John Hewett and Sir Henry Slingsby were guilty. They were sentenced to be beheaded for their actions against the government. Lord Mordaunt was lucky and was found not guilty because of a small legal detail. Three other people involved in the plan, who were not as well-known, were given a different, harsher punishment.

John Hewett and Sir Henry Slingsby were executed on Tower Hill in London. These events were even shown in a play in 1660 called Cromwell's Conspiracie.

Family Life

John Hewett was married two times. His first wife was Elizabeth Skinner. They had three children together. His second wife was Mary Bertie, and they had two daughters who sadly passed away when they were young. John Hewett's oldest son, also named John, became a merchant and lived in Barbados.