John St Aubyn (Parliamentarian) facts for kids
John St Aubyn (born 1613, died 1684) was an important English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons of England, which is like the main part of the country's government. John St Aubyn also served as a colonel, a high-ranking officer, in the parliamentary army during the English Civil War.
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Early Life and Family
John St Aubyn was the oldest son of John St. Aubyn and Catherine Arundell. His family lived in a place called Clowance in Cornwall, England. In 1631, he began studying law at a famous place called Middle Temple in London.
John St Aubyn later married Catherine Godolphin. They had a large family with six sons and four daughters. One of his sons, also named John, became a baronet and a Member of Parliament too.
A Member of Parliament
In April 1640, John St Aubyn was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for a town called Tregoney. An MP is someone elected to represent their local area in the government.
During the English Civil War, he took on many important jobs. He helped manage money and property for the government. For example, he was a commissioner for collecting taxes and for taking over property from people who supported the King.
From 1644 to 1645, he held the important role of High Sheriff of Cornwall. This job was like being the chief law enforcement officer for the county. In 1646, he became the recorder of St Ives, which meant he was a legal officer for that town.
Role in the English Civil War
John St Aubyn was a colonel in the army that supported Parliament during the English Civil War. This army was known as the Roundheads.
In 1646, he helped capture St Michael's Mount. This was an important fortress on an island off the coast of Cornwall. After it was captured, John St Aubyn was made the Governor of the Mount in 1647. It was used as a prison at that time.
After the War
After the war, John St Aubyn continued to be involved in public life. In 1648, he became a freeman of Plymouth, which gave him special rights in the city. He also helped organize the local army, known as the militia, in Cornwall.
In 1649, he became the Vice-Admiral for South Cornwall. This was a role involved with naval matters and protecting the coast. He also served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) from 1650 to 1653, and again in 1657. A J.P. helps keep the peace and deals with minor legal cases.
In 1656, he was elected as an MP again, this time representing all of Cornwall in the Second Protectorate Parliament. He was also elected MP for St Ives in 1659.
St Michael's Mount Becomes Home
In 1659, John St Aubyn bought St Michael's Mount from another family. This historic castle then became his family home.
He was one of the important people from Cornwall who met in Truro in December 1659. They gathered to ask for a "free Parliament." This meant they wanted a government chosen by the people, not controlled by one person.
In April 1660, he was re-elected as an MP for St Ives in the Convention Parliament. He also became a colonel in the militia again. He continued to serve Cornwall in various ways, including being the High Sheriff of Cornwall again in 1666.
