Philip Preston facts for kids

Father Philip Preston was a Scottish priest who lived in the 1600s. He was a special advisor, known as a confessor, to Queen Henrietta Maria. He stayed in this important role until he died in 1647.

A Special Advisor to the Queen

In 1626, Queen Henrietta Maria's husband, King Charles I, made changes to her royal household. Many of her French staff were sent away. Only three English priests were allowed to stay with the Queen. Father Philip Preston was one of these priests. Because he was from Scotland, he was chosen to be her main spiritual advisor.

This arrangement worked very well. Father Philip Preston remained the Queen's confessor for the rest of his life. Queen Henrietta Maria thought highly of him. She even visited him when he was ill at the Oratorians' House in Paris.

A Brief Imprisonment

In the summer of 1641, there was a plan for the Queen to travel to Holland. She was going to visit her daughter, Princess Mary, and also use some special spa waters for her health. However, the English Parliament suspected there was another reason for her trip. They thought she might be trying to get help from other countries.

Parliament raised objections to her leaving England. A letter from that time mentions an event involving Father Philip.

The confessor, Father Philip, was sent to the Tower of London by Parliament. They believed he was putting people around the Queen who were not suitable, like her secretary, Sir John Winter. A letter from Father Philip was found. In it, he wrote that the Puritans would harm the Queen if they dared. He also wondered if the good King of France would allow his sister, the Queen, and her children to be treated so badly.

Father Philip must have been released quickly. He soon joined the Queen in The Hague, a city in Holland. There, the Queen tried to get help from the Prince of Orange. She also raised money by selling or pawning her own jewels and some crown jewels to rich merchants.

Loyalty During the Civil War

Father Philip Preston stayed loyal to Queen Henrietta Maria. When the English Civil War began, the Queen had to leave England. In 1644, she fled to her home country of France. Father Philip was with her during this difficult time. He continued to serve as her confessor until his death in 1647.