John Jones Maesygarnedd facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John Jones Maesygarnedd
Birth name	John Jones
Born	c. 1597 Maesygarnedd, Llanbedr, Merionethshire, Wales
Died	17 October 1660 Charing Cross, London
Allegiance	Parliamentarian

John Jones Maesygarnedd (born around 1597 – died 17 October 1660) was a Welsh military leader and politician. He is known for being one of the people who signed the order to execute King Charles I after the English Civil War.

John Jones was related to Oliver Cromwell, a very important leader at the time. Jones was a Parliamentarian, meaning he supported the Parliament against the King. He was also a strong republican, believing that the country should be run by elected leaders, not a king. This was unusual because most people in Wales supported the King.

After the King was put to death, John Jones was one of 57 people who signed the official document. When the King's son, Charles II, later became king, Jones was not forgiven. He was put on trial, found guilty, and then executed.

John Jones: A Leader in Tough Times

Maesygarnedd, where John Jones was born.

John Jones was born in about 1597 in a place called Maesygarnedd, in Llanbedr, Merionethshire, Wales. His parents were Thomas ab John (or Jones) and Ellen. People often called him "Maesygarnedd" after his home. He spoke Welsh with his family.

Fighting in the English Civil War

During the English Civil War, John Jones fought for the Parliamentarian side. This was the group that opposed King Charles I. By 1646, he was a colonel and helped negotiate the surrender of Anglesey.

In 1648, Jones helped stop a rebellion led by Sir John Owen. The House of Commons thanked him for his efforts in Anglesey. He was also given £2,000 for his unpaid wages. Around 1647, he became a member of Parliament for Merionethshire.

A Judge for the King

After the war ended, John Jones was chosen to be one of the judges for King Charles I. He attended the trial regularly. Jones was the 42nd person out of 57 to sign the document that ordered the King's execution.

After the King was executed, Jones became a member of the first two Councils of State for the new government, called the Commonwealth of England. In July 1650, he was chosen to help govern Ireland. He was reappointed for two more years in 1652. His colleague, Edmund Ludlow, said that Jones did his job with "great diligence, ability, and integrity." He worked to make the country better and bring justice to those who had harmed English Protestants.

Life After the King's Execution

John Jones was a very strong republican. He was not happy when Oliver Cromwell became the leader, known as the the Protectorate. Cromwell's son, Henry Cromwell, said that Jones tried to make the government unpopular. However, Jones was more careful about showing his opposition than some others.

Because of this, Jones was set aside from some roles. In 1656, there were rumors that Jones might work in the Irish government again. Henry Cromwell warned against this, saying Jones was "factious and disaffected." Around this time, John Jones married Catherine, Oliver Cromwell's sister. Henry Cromwell later said that he didn't know Jones would become his uncle. He hoped this marriage would make Jones more loyal to Cromwell's government.

In 1656, Jones was elected to Parliament for both Merionethshire and Denbighshire. He chose to represent Merionethshire. People described him as someone who believed in "common justice and freedom." They noted that his marriage to Cromwell's sister could have made him very powerful. However, he still had some disagreements with the new government.

In December 1657, Jones was called to Oliver Cromwell's Other House, a special council. He only held the position of governor of the Isle of Anglesey. In June 1657, Parliament voted to give Jones lands in Ireland worth £3,000. This was to pay him for money he was owed.

In May 1659, Jones was still trusted by the republicans. He was appointed to the Committee of Safety and the Council of State. He also became a commissioner for the government of Ireland in July and went to Ireland with Ludlow. When Ludlow returned to England, he chose Jones to lead the Irish forces. However, Jones and most of the Irish officers supported John Lambert and the army in their disagreement with Parliament. Ludlow was upset, but Jones said he acted because others pressured him.

In December 1659, officers loyal to George Monck took over Dublin Castle and arrested Jones. He was accused of high treason in January 1660. The main charge was that he supported the army's actions against Parliament. Jones was brought before the Council of State but was released after agreeing not to cause trouble for the government.

The Monarchy Returns

In 1660, the monarchy was brought back under Charles II, the son of King Charles I. This put John Jones in great danger. He was a senior member of the republican party, married into Oliver Cromwell's family, and had signed the death warrant for Charles I. King Charles II and his supporters wanted revenge.

Jones seemed unaware of the danger. He did not try to run away. He was arrested on June 2, 1660, while walking in Finsbury. He was then sent to the Tower of London. On June 4, the House of Commons decided not to include him in the Indemnity and Oblivion Act. This act offered forgiveness to many who had opposed the King.

Jones was put on trial on October 12, 1660. He admitted that he had been one of the King's judges. He did not try to argue any legal points and was sentenced to death. On October 17, 1660, John Jones was executed along with Adrian Scrope. Reports say he died with great bravery and dignity.

His Family

John Jones was married twice. His first marriage was before 1639 to Margaret Edwards. She died in Ireland in 1651. They had eight children, but only one son survived him. Margaret was a strong follower of the Puritan preacher Morgan Llwyd.

In 1656, Jones married again. His second wife was Henrietta Whitstone, who was the third sister of Oliver Cromwell. She was also the widow of Roger Whitstone, a military officer. Henrietta had three sons and two daughters from her first marriage. She received money each year from her first husband's estate, and Oliver Cromwell added more money. She and John Jones did not have any children together.

When Oliver Cromwell's son, Richard Cromwell, became Protector, he stopped Henrietta's yearly payments because her husband, John Jones, opposed him. A letter from Henrietta published later showed that she may have had some sympathy for the Royalists. She did not approve of King Charles I's execution.

After John Jones was executed, his son was allowed to keep the lands Jones owned before 1646. However, the rest of his lands either went back to the Crown (the King) or were taken away. His lands in Wales went to the Duke of York (who later became James II of England). His lands in Ireland went to Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey.