John Parker (MP for Rochester) facts for kids

John Parker was an important English judge and a member of Parliament (MP) during a special time in English history called the Interregnum. This was a period when England did not have a king. He was active between 1631 and 1680.

John Parker's Early Life and Career

John Parker was the son of Richard Parker and Priscilla Edolph. His family lived in Kent, England.

For many years, John Parker lived in a town called Gravesend. By 1632, he was the town's recorder, which meant he was a legal officer. He officially became a lawyer on June 8, 1638. He continued his role as recorder, and in 1649, the Council of State asked him to attend their meetings because of his position.

Parker's Role During the Interregnum

The Interregnum was a time in England when there was no king. During this period, John Parker was one of the trusted people in Kent who helped the Council of State carry out their plans. The Council of State was the group that governed England at the time.

In 1653, he was part of a group that sold the lands of Royalists. Royalists were people who had supported the King during the English Civil War. Their property was taken away because of their actions in the war. In the same year, he also managed the sale of property that used to belong to the royal family.

Serving in Parliament

John Parker was chosen to be a member of Parliament (MP) for Rochester. He served in the First and Second Protectorate Parliaments, which met in 1654 and 1656. These parliaments were special assemblies during the Interregnum when Oliver Cromwell was the leader. Cromwell also asked Parker to be an assistant in a special part of Parliament called the "Other House."

Parker's Judicial Career

In 1655, John Parker joined the Fleet Street Inn, a place where lawyers trained. In the same year, he became a "serjeant-at-law," which was a high rank for a lawyer. Soon after, on February 11, 1656, he was appointed a Baron of the Exchequer. This was a very important judge's role.

In 1657, he was in charge of assessments in Kent, dealing with issues like helping poor prisoners and managing forests. In 1659, he became a circuit judge, meaning he traveled to different areas to hear cases. He was reappointed as a Baron of the Exchequer several times by the new leader, Richard Cromwell, and later by the Rump Parliament.

When the King returned to England during the Restoration, John Parker was removed from his judge's post. However, he was reappointed as a serjeant and continued in that role until the early 1680s. After that, he is no longer mentioned in historical records.

About Parker's Writings

It is not clear if this John Parker or another person with the same name wrote a book called Government of the People of England, precedent and present in 1650.