Michael Noble (Parliamentarian) facts for kids

Michael Noble (born 1591, died February 1649) was an important English puritan during a time of big changes. He was a member of the Long Parliament, which was a special meeting of the English Parliament. He supported Parliament during the English Civil War, a major conflict in England's history.

Who Was Michael Noble?

Michael Noble was the son of Edward Noble and Isabell Lowe. He studied at Queen's College, Oxford when he was 16 years old. He likely worked as a lawyer. In 1625, he was chosen as the coroner for Lichfield. A coroner investigates deaths that are not natural.

By 1631, he was called a "gentleman of the Close of the Cathedral." He paid £10 to avoid becoming a knight. This was a common practice back then. By 1637, he became the Town Clerk, which was an important administrative job for the city.

Michael Noble in Parliament

In 1640, Michael Noble was elected to the Long Parliament. He represented the city of Lichfield. This Parliament was very important because it lasted for a long time.

As a Member of Parliament, Noble took an oath on June 6, 1643, to support Parliament. On September 25, he also signed The Solemn League and Covenant. This was an agreement to support the Parliament and the Puritan religion.

During 1643, he worked on the Assessment Commission for Staffordshire. This group helped collect taxes. He was also on the Sequestration Committee for Lichfield. This committee took control of property from people who supported the King. In 1644, he continued to work on similar commissions.

His Later Years

On March 24, 1645, Noble was part of a committee for the Self-denying Ordinance. This rule meant that Members of Parliament could not also be army officers. On June 3, 1645, he was one of 68 members who received a weekly allowance of £4.

He became a Deputy Lieutenant for Staffordshire on August 23, 1645. This was a military role. On September 16, 1645, he joined a committee. This group planned what to do with the lands of the Bishop of Lichfield.

On April 7, 1646, Noble was on a committee. This committee worked to set up a system for preaching ministers. He seemed to become ill later. He was excused from attending Parliament in 1646 and 1647. He was not removed from Parliament during Pride's Purge in December 1648. Michael Noble passed away in February 1649. He was buried in Lichfield Cathedral.

His Family Life

Around 1619, Michael Noble married Maria Cotton. They lived in Lichfield Close. Their children were born there.

In January 1638, Maria Noble, his wife, was involved in an incident. She was a strong Puritan. She and two other women protested against the way things were done in Lichfield Cathedral. They used water and other things to mark the hangings near the altar. They said they were "sprinkling holy water" to protest against the next communion service. Another woman tried to stop them. But Maria Noble and her friends said they were just doing their duty.

One of Michael Noble's family members was Walter Savage Landor. He was a famous writer. Landor wrote about Michael Noble in his book, Imaginary Conversations. In the book, Michael Noble talks with Oliver Cromwell. However, Landor mistakenly called him Walter Noble.

Images for kids

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  Lichfield Cathedral Close

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  Lichfield Cathedral