Nathaniel Fiennes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathaniel Fiennes
|
|
|---|---|
Nathaniel Fiennes c. 1640
|
|
| Member of Parliament for Oxford University |
|
| In office September 1656 – February 1658 |
|
| Lord Keeper of the Great Seal | |
| In office June 1655 – April 1659 |
|
| Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire |
|
| In office September 1654 – January 1655 |
|
| Parliamentarian Governor of Bristol | |
| In office May 1643 – July 1643 |
|
| Member of Parliament for Banbury |
|
| In office April 1640 – December 1648 (Fiennes excluded by Pride's Purge) |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1608 Broughton Castle, Oxfordshire |
| Died | 16 December 1669 (aged 61) Newton Tony, Wiltshire |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | (1) Nathaniel (1637–1672); William (1639–1698) (2) Anne; Frances; Celia (1662–1741); Mary (1663–1737) |
| Alma mater | New College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Religious radical, peer and politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Parliamentarian |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | |
Nathaniel Fiennes (born around 1608 – died 16 December 1669) was an important English politician and soldier. He was the younger son of William Fiennes, a nobleman known for his strong Puritan beliefs. Nathaniel served in the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, at different times between 1640 and 1659.
He also fought for the Parliamentarian army, also known as the Roundheads, during the First English Civil War. In 1643, he faced serious charges after surrendering the city of Bristol and was removed from the army. However, he was later cleared of wrongdoing in 1645. Nathaniel Fiennes strongly supported Oliver Cromwell, who became the leader of England, during the time known as The Protectorate. From 1655 to 1659, he held a very important job as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, which meant he was in charge of official government documents.
When the Civil War began in 1642, Fiennes was a key leader against King Charles I. He believed in religious freedom and supported groups like the Independents, who were different from the more common Presbyterians in Parliament. After Parliament won the war in 1646, he tried to find a peaceful solution with King Charles I. Because of this, he was removed from Parliament in 1648 and did not take part in the King's execution.
Nathaniel Fiennes returned to politics when Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector in 1653. He served as a Member of Parliament again and continued his important role as Lord Keeper. After Cromwell died in 1658, Fiennes supported Cromwell's son, Richard, as the new leader. However, he lost his government job when Richard resigned in 1659. After the King was restored to power in 1660, Fiennes was pardoned and lived a quiet life until his death in 1669.
Contents
Nathaniel Fiennes' Early Life and Family
Nathaniel Fiennes was born around 1608 at Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire. He was the second son of William Fiennes, the First Viscount Saye and Sele, and Elizabeth Temple. His family was quite large, including his older brother James and younger brother John.
Nathaniel was married twice. His first marriage was in August 1636 to Elizabeth Eliot. Her father, Sir John Eliot, was an important Member of Parliament who helped create the 1628 Petition of Right. Nathaniel and Elizabeth had two sons who survived: Nathaniel (born 1637) and William (born 1639). William later became the Third Viscount Saye and Sele.
After Elizabeth passed away, Nathaniel married Frances Whitehead around 1650. They had four daughters: Anne, Frances, Mary, and Celia. Celia became famous later for writing books about her travels all around Britain.
Nathaniel's Education and Beliefs
Nathaniel Fiennes went to Winchester College and then to New College, Oxford in 1619. He left college in 1624 but was given a special position there because of his family's history with the college.
Like his father, Nathaniel was a strong Puritan. This meant he had very strict religious beliefs and disagreed with the way the Church of England was run at the time. He especially disliked the ideas of Archbishop William Laud, who wanted more traditional ceremonies in the church. Nathaniel's time in Geneva, a city known for its strong Protestant beliefs, made his own opinions even stronger.
Nathaniel's Role in Parliament
When Nathaniel returned to England in 1639, he started working with groups who opposed King Charles I. He became a Member of Parliament for Banbury in both the Short and Long Parliaments. In Parliament, he was very active in criticizing the church and the King's actions.
He spoke out against certain church rules in 1640 and 1641. He argued that the church leaders, called bishops, were a danger to both religion and politics. His speeches made a big impression, and he was quickly added to a special committee that dealt with church matters.
Nathaniel also helped investigate a plot involving the army. In 1641, he was one of the people chosen to travel with the King to Scotland. In July 1642, he was named a member of the committee of safety, which was important as the country moved closer to war.
Nathaniel's Military Career
When the English Civil War began in August 1642, Nathaniel Fiennes immediately joined the fight. He led a group of horse soldiers in the army of Lord Essex, a key Parliamentarian general.
He was present at the relief of Coventry and fought bravely at the Battle of Powick Bridge and the Battle of Edgehill. He even wrote accounts of these battles, sharing what happened with others.
In February 1643, Fiennes was sent to Bristol, an important city. He took over as governor of Bristol in May 1643. However, when Prince Rupert and the Royalist army arrived in July, Bristol was not ready for a strong attack. Fiennes defended the city as long as he could, but he eventually surrendered to avoid more loss of life.
After surrendering Bristol, Fiennes faced a military trial in December. He was found guilty of giving up the city improperly. However, he was later pardoned. When the Parliamentarian army recaptured Bristol in 1645, they realized how difficult it had been to defend. This helped clear Nathaniel's name, and he was fully forgiven. Even though he was cleared, his time as a military leader ended.
Nathaniel's Return to Politics
After his military career ended, Nathaniel Fiennes spent some time away from politics. He returned in September 1647, joining the army committee. In January 1648, he became a member of the committee of safety again.
However, he believed in making peace with the King and supported a deal at Newport in December 1648. Because of this, he was removed from Parliament during an event called Pride's Purge. He was against the strict Presbyterian church government and leaned towards Oliver Cromwell's party, who wanted more religious freedom.
In 1654, Fiennes became a member of the council of state, a powerful government group. In June 1655, he was given the important job of commissioner for the custody of the great seal, which meant he was in charge of official government documents.
He served as a Member of Parliament for Oxfordshire in 1654 and for Oxford University in 1656. In January 1658, he was made a member of Cromwell's own special "House of Lords." He strongly supported Cromwell becoming King, urging him to accept the title many times.
Nathaniel Fiennes' public career ended with speeches he gave in 1658 and 1659. In these speeches, he emphasized that Cromwell's government was based on strong religious values, which was very important to Fiennes throughout his life. He lived in Covent Garden from 1657 to 1659.
When the Long Parliament was brought back, Fiennes lost his position. He did not play a part in the return of the King in 1660. He passed away quietly at his home in Newton Tony, Wiltshire, on 16 December 1669.
Nathaniel Fiennes' Writings
Besides the reports he wrote about the battles, Nathaniel Fiennes also published several of his speeches and other political writings. These can be found in historical collections. Some people also believe he wrote a book called Monarchy Asserted (1660), which discussed the idea of having a king.
Images for kids
-
Nathaniel Fiennes c. 1640
-
Family home, Broughton Castle
