John Penruddock facts for kids
John Penruddock (1619–1655) was an English soldier and leader during a very important time in England's history. He lived during the English Civil War and the years that followed, known as the English Interregnum. Penruddock was a "Cavalier," which meant he supported King Charles I. He is best known for leading a rebellion in 1655, called the Penruddock uprising, to try and bring back the king's rule.
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Who Was John Penruddock?
John Penruddock was born in 1619. His family lived in a place called Compton Chamberlayne. He grew up during a time of great change in England. The country was divided between those who supported the King and those who supported Parliament.
The English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of wars fought in England from 1642 to 1651. It was a conflict between the Parliamentarians (who supported Parliament) and the Royalists (who supported King Charles I). John Penruddock was a strong supporter of the King. People who supported the King were often called "Cavaliers."
The Penruddock Uprising
After the Civil War, England was ruled by Parliament and then by Oliver Cromwell. This period was called the English Interregnum. Many Royalists, like Penruddock, wanted to bring back the King. They secretly planned a rebellion.
Planning the Rebellion
A group called the Sealed Knot planned a big uprising for March 1655. They hoped to take control of several cities, like Salisbury, Newcastle, York, and Winchester. They also planned smaller rebellions in other areas. However, many of these plans did not work out. For example, the army in Winchester was made stronger, so the attack there was stopped. In some places, not enough people showed up to fight.
The Attack on Salisbury
John Penruddock, along with other leaders like Sir Joseph Wagstaffe and Hugh Grove, led the Royalist uprising in the west of England. On March 11, Penruddock and about 300 to 400 other Cavaliers took control of Salisbury. They proudly raised the Royal Standard, which is the flag of the King.
The Defeat and Capture
The next morning, Penruddock led his followers out of Salisbury. They headed west, hoping to gather more supporters along the way. They traveled through towns like Blandford, Sherborne, and Yeovil. By March 14, his group was very tired. They reached South Molton in Devon. Here, they were met by a single troop of soldiers from the New Model Army, led by Captain Unton Crook.
After a three-hour fight in the streets, Penruddock's group was defeated. Captain Crook captured Penruddock and the other main leaders. Most of the other Royalists either ran away or were killed during the fight.
What Happened Next?
Because of his part in the rebellion, John Penruddock was executed in May 1655. He was executed in Exeter, along with Hugh Grove and Francis Jones. Some other Royalists who took part were also executed. About seventy others were sent to the West Indies. There, they were forced to work in difficult conditions. Sir Joseph Wagstaffe, another leader, managed to escape.
John Penruddock's Family
John Penruddock was married to Arundel Freke. She was the daughter of John Freke. John and Arundel had two sons, named George and Thomas. They also had four daughters: Elizabeth, Joan, Mary, and Anne.
John Penruddock became the head of his family's estates in 1648, after his father passed away. His older son, George, died in 1664. So, his younger son, Thomas Penruddocke (who lived from about 1648 to 1695), inherited the family's lands. Thomas later became a member of parliament for Wilton.
