Richard Capel facts for kids

Richard Capel (born 1586, died 1656) was an English clergyman. He had strong Calvinist beliefs. He was also a member of the important Westminster Assembly. For some time, he even worked as a doctor!

Richard Capel's Life Story

Richard Capel was born in Gloucester, England. His father, Christopher Capel, was an important city official called an alderman. Christopher was known for helping ministers who faced problems because of their religious beliefs.

Richard went to school in Gloucester. In 1601, he started studying at St. Alban Hall, Oxford, which is part of Oxford University. Later, he became a "demy" at Magdalen College. This was like a special student who received money to study. By 1609, he became a permanent fellow there, which meant he was a senior member of the college.

While at Oxford, many students who shared his Calvinist views asked him for advice. Two of his students were Accepted Frewen and William Pember.

In 1613, Richard Capel became the minister (rector) of a church in Eastington, Stroud.

Refusing the Book of Sports

In 1633, King Charles I ordered that a book called the Book of Sports be read in all churches. This book listed sports and games people could play on Sundays after church. Many strict Protestants, like Richard Capel, believed Sundays should be only for worship and rest. Capel refused to read the book in his church. Because of this, he chose to leave his job as rector.

Becoming a Doctor

After leaving his church job, Richard Capel got a special permission to work as a doctor. He moved to Pitchcombe, a village near Stroud, where he owned some land.

In 1643, he became a member of the Westminster Assembly. This was a group of important religious leaders who met to discuss and reform the Church of England. Richard Capel passed away in Pitchcombe on September 21, 1656.

Richard Capel's Books

Richard Capel wrote several books during his life. Here are some of them:

• God's Valuation of Man's Soul: This book was based on two sermons he gave. It was published in London in 1632.
• Tentations: their Nature, Danger, Cure: This book was about how to deal with temptations. It also included a short discussion about borrowing money with interest. It was first published in 1633 and had many editions.
• Apology in Defence of Some Exceptions against some Particulars in the Book of Tentations: This book was published in 1659.
• Capel's Remains: This book was published after he died, in 1658. It was an extra part to his book on temptations. It also included a short story about his life, written by his friend Valentine Marshall.

He also helped publish some religious writings by his favorite student, William Pemble. William Pemble died at Richard Capel's house in 1628.

Richard Capel's Family

Richard Capel was married to Dorothy Plumstead. She passed away in 1622. They had a son named Daniel Capel. Daniel also became a minister in different towns in Gloucestershire. Like his father, Daniel was removed from his church job in 1662 because of his nonconformist beliefs. After that, he worked as a doctor in Stroud until he died.