Michael Hudson (Royalist) facts for kids

Michael Hudson (born 1605, died 1648) was an English church leader who strongly supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. He was known for his bravery and loyalty to the King.

Hudson earned his Master's degree from Queen's College, Oxford in 1628. He became a fellow there around 1630. King Charles I gave him several church positions. He also served as one of the King's chaplains in Oxford. From 1643 to 1644, he was a "scoutmaster" for the northern army, meaning he gathered information. In 1646, he helped King Charles I travel to the Scottish army camp near Newark.

After the First English Civil War ended, Hudson was put in prison. He managed to escape but was caught again in 1647 and sent to the Tower of London. In 1648, he escaped once more. He then helped start a Royalist uprising in eastern England. Sadly, he was killed while bravely defending Woodcroft Castle.

Early Life and Education

Michael Hudson was born in Westmoreland, England, in 1605. In February 1622, he became a "poor child" at Queen's College, Oxford. This meant he received financial help to study there. He later became a "tabarder," a student who wore a special gown.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in February 1625. He then completed his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in January 1628. Around 1630, he was chosen as a fellow of Queen's College. He got married and, for a time, taught Charles, Prince of Wales, who later became King Charles II. In 1632, he became a priest, ordained by John Bancroft, who was the Bishop of Oxford.

Serving the King

Hudson became a rector, or church leader, in Uffington, Lincolnshire, and Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. He later exchanged his Uffington position for the rectory of King's Cliffe, Northamptonshire. During the war, Parliament's general, Edward Montagu, Earl of Manchester, removed Hudson from his church role in Uffington in 1644. He was officially removed in January 1645.

When the English Civil War began, Hudson joined the Royalists, who supported the King. After the Battle of Edgehill in October 1642, he went to Oxford. There, he met King Charles I and became one of the royal chaplains. He also received a Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree in February 1643. King Charles I nicknamed him his "plain-dealing chaplain" because Hudson was always honest and direct.

Hudson's strong loyalty led to him being appointed as a scout-master. He gathered important information for the Royalist army in northern England. This army was led by the Marquis of Newcastle. Hudson held this position until 1644.

Adventures and Imprisonment

In April 1646, King Charles I decided to go to the Scottish army. He chose Hudson and John Ashburnham to help him travel to the Scottish camp at Newark-on-Trent. Because of this, Parliament ordered Hudson's arrest in May 1646. However, the Scots refused to hand him over and released him after a few days.

Soon after, Hudson tried to escape to France. But he was arrested in Sandwich, Kent, in June 1646. He was then imprisoned in London House in London.

On June 18, 1646, a Parliament committee questioned Hudson. He told them all about the King's travels between Oxford and the Scottish camp. In November, he escaped again. It is believed he carried secret letters from the King to Major-general Rowland Laugharne in Wales.

In January of the next year, he was caught again in Hull. He was then sent to the Tower of London. While there, he was not allowed to see anyone without a guard present. He spent his time writing and planning a way to help the Royalists take control of the Tower. However, he couldn't put his plan into action. He escaped from the Tower again in early 1648. He disguised himself, even carrying a basket of apples on his head!

Final Stand and Death

After his escape, Hudson returned to Lincolnshire. He gathered a group of Royalist cavalry (horse soldiers). He also encouraged people in Norfolk and Suffolk to support the King more actively. With his followers, Hudson went to Woodcroft Castle in the Soke of Peterborough. This was a strong building surrounded by a moat.

Soon, a group of Parliament soldiers attacked them. Hudson, who was likely a colonel, bravely defended the castle. When the soldiers forced their way in, he and his remaining followers went to the battlements. They only surrendered when they were promised safety, but this promise was broken. Hudson was thrown from the battlements. He managed to hold onto a stone spout for a while. But his hands were cut off, and he fell into the moat.

He asked to be allowed to die on land. A man named Egborough hit him on the head with a musket on June 6, 1648. Another Parliament soldier cut out his tongue and carried it as a prize. Michael Hudson's body was buried in Denton, Northamptonshire. There was a plan to rebury him in Uffington, but it seems it never happened.

Family Life

In 1633, Michael Hudson married Elizabeth Pollard. She was from Newnham Courtney, Oxfordshire. Because of the war, Hudson lost all his property. After his death, his wife and children had to rely on charity to survive.

What People Said About Him

Augustus Charles Bickley, who wrote about Hudson in the Dictionary of National Biography, said that Hudson was "bold, generous, and almost fanatically loyal." John Walker described him as a scholar and a simple, honest Christian.

His Writings

Michael Hudson wrote two known works:

• The Divine Right of Government Natural and Politique, more particularly of Monarchie, the onely legitimate and Natural source of Politique Government: This book was printed in 1647. Hudson wrote it while he was a prisoner in the Tower of London.
• An Account of King Charles I,...: This book was not published until 1731 by Hearne.