Matthew Thomlinson facts for kids

Matthew Thomlinson (born 1617, died 1681) was an English soldier who fought for the Parliament during the English Civil War. He was known for being involved in the events leading to the execution of King Charles I, though he refused to be one of the King's judges.

Thomlinson was a high-ranking officer, a colonel of cavalry, in the New Model Army. He was one of the officers who presented an important message to Parliament in 1647. In 1648, he was put in charge of guarding King Charles I until the King's execution.

After Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament, Thomlinson was chosen to be part of the new government, the Council of State, and later the Barebones Parliament. He was sent to Ireland to join the government there and was even knighted by Henry Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell's son. In 1658, he returned to London as a representative for Ireland in Cromwell's new House of Peers.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Thomlinson was accused by the Parliament. However, he managed to avoid punishment.

Early Life and Military Career

Matthew Thomlinson was born in 1617 and grew up in York. He was the second son of John Thomlinson and Eleanor Dodsworth.

In 1642, when the English Civil War began, Thomlinson joined the Parliament's army. He was part of the personal guard for Robert, Earl of Essex, a leading general for Parliament. By 1645, he was a captain.

Later, in the New Model Army, he became a major. By the summer of 1647, he was promoted to colonel, leading his own cavalry regiment.

Role in the King's Trial

During the disagreements between the army and the Long Parliament, Thomlinson supported the army. He was one of the officers who presented a formal complaint from the army to Parliament in June 1647.

In December 1648, the Army Council ordered Thomlinson to take charge of King Charles I. The King was held at Windsor and then at St. James's Palace during his trial. Thomlinson was responsible for guarding the King until the day he was executed.

On the day of the execution, Thomlinson handed the King over to Colonel Francis Hacker, who had the death warrant. However, at the King's request, Thomlinson walked with him to the entrance of the scaffold. King Charles I even gave Thomlinson a gold toothpick and case as a gift.

It's important to know that Thomlinson had been chosen to be one of the King's judges, but he refused to take part in the trial.

Service During the Protectorate

In 1650, Thomlinson and his regiment went with Oliver Cromwell to Scotland during the Third English Civil War.

After Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament in 1653, Thomlinson was chosen to be part of the new government, the Council of State. He was also selected to be a member of the Barebones Parliament.

For most of the period known as the Protectorate, Thomlinson worked in Ireland. He was part of the council that advised the governors of Ireland, first Charles Fleetwood and then Henry Cromwell.

In 1654, Thomlinson was involved in an important project to survey Ireland. Henry Cromwell, who became the Lord Deputy of Ireland, even knighted Thomlinson in 1657. This was a way to show he wanted to make peace with former opponents.

Later Life and the Restoration

In 1659, when the Rump Parliament was restored, Thomlinson was made one of the five commissioners for the civil government of Ireland.

However, he was later suspected of supporting the army too much in a dispute with Parliament. He was arrested and accused in January 1660. But the accusation was not pursued. When he arrived in England, he was allowed to remain free after promising not to cause trouble for the government.

When the monarchy was restored in 1660, Thomlinson was specifically excused from the order to arrest the King's judges and take their property. He told the House of Lords that he had never taken part in the trial against Charles I. He also said that the King himself had praised his kindness and recommended him to his son. This was confirmed by another witness, Henry Seymour. Because of this, the Lords and Commons agreed to free him from any punishment.

At the trial of others who had been involved in the King's execution, Thomlinson gave evidence. He lost some land he had gained during the Commonwealth period.

Matthew Thomlinson died on November 3, 1681. He was buried in the church of East Malling, near Maidstone.

Family Life

Matthew Thomlinson was married to Pembroke, the daughter of Sir William Brooke. They had two daughters:

• Jane, who married Philip Owen and passed away in 1703.
• Elizabeth, who never married.

His wife, Pembroke, died on June 10, 1683, and was also buried in East Malling church. Interestingly, Thomlinson's sister, Jane, was married to Sir Thomas Twisden, who later served as a judge at the trials of some of Matthew's fellow "regicides."