Richard Gerard of Hilderstone facts for kids
Richard Gerard (born around 1635; died March 11, 1680) was a landowner from Hilderstone, Staffordshire, England. He was a Roman Catholic at a time when Catholics faced many challenges in England. Richard Gerard became a victim of the Popish Plot, a made-up story about Catholics trying to harm King Charles II of England.
Richard Gerard tried to help a Catholic nobleman, William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, who was accused in the plot. Sadly, this led to Richard Gerard's own death in prison, even though he was never officially put on trial.
Richard Gerard's Life Story
Richard Gerard was friends with Jesuit priests in England. His three sons even went to a Jesuit school called college of St-Omer abroad. He also helped manage some small properties for the Jesuits.
In 1678, Richard Gerard attended a special meeting at the home of the Penderel family in Boscobel. This family was famous for hiding King Charles II after the battle of Worcester. At this meeting, a Jesuit priest named Father John Gavan became a full member of the Jesuit order. After dinner, the group visited the Royal Oak, the tree where King Charles had hidden.
A man named Stephen Dugdale, who was known for making up stories about the Popish Plot, found out about this meeting. He accused Richard Gerard of giving money to the supposed plotters and planning to kill the King. Dugdale's main goal was to accuse Lord Stafford, who was later executed in December 1680, mostly because of Dugdale's false claims.
Richard Gerard could have been a very important witness to prove Lord Stafford was innocent. His death made it much harder for Stafford to defend himself. Back then, people accused of treason (betraying their country) had to defend themselves without a lawyer.
Richard Gerard was questioned by a group of lords in May 1679. He admitted to being at the Boscobel meeting. Because of this, he was sent to Newgate Jail. He stayed there for ten months without a trial. Sadly, he became very sick with gaol fever (a disease common in prisons) and died.
A priest named Father Edward Petre was with Richard Gerard in his final hours. Father Petre wrote a letter saying that Richard Gerard wished to be buried next to his friend, Thomas Whitbread, who had also been executed recently.
Richard Gerard's Family
Richard Gerard was the son of John Gerard of Hilderstone. His grandfather was Sir Gilbert Gerard.
The Gerard family from Gerards Bromley became very powerful and wealthy. Richard's grandfather, Sir Gilbert Gerard, was a top lawyer for Queen Elizabeth I of England from 1559 to 1581. It's said that he gained the Gerard's Bromley estate through a clever plan.
Richard's uncle, Thomas Gerard, became the first Baron Gerard in 1603.
Richard had a third son named Philip Gerard (born in 1665). Philip joined the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1684. Surprisingly, he later became the seventh and last Baron Gerard of Gerard's Bromley in 1707. This happened because many of his cousins and older brothers had died.
However, Philip never claimed the title of Baron. He gave up all his rights to the family estates for a small yearly payment. He had to leave England because a relative, the Duke of Hamilton, offered a reward for his arrest as a priest.
