Richard Salwey facts for kids

Richard Salwey (born 1615, died around 1685) was an English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of today's Parliament, at different times between 1645 and 1659. He believed in a republic, meaning a country ruled by elected officials rather than a king. He fought for the Parliament's side, also known as the Parliamentarians, during the English Civil War.

Early Life and Family

Richard Salwey was the son of Humphrey Salwey and Anne Littleton. His father, Humphrey, was a lawyer and also a Member of Parliament for Worcestershire. Richard's mother, Anne, was the daughter of Sir Edward Littleton. The family lived at Stanford Court in Stanford-on-Teme, Worcestershire. Richard later became a grocer and a merchant in London, which means he bought and sold goods.

Joining Politics and the War

Richard's father was very active in supporting the Parliament's cause. Following in his footsteps, Richard became a major in the Parliamentarian army during the English Civil War. This war was a big conflict in England between those who supported the King and those who supported Parliament.

In 1645, Richard Salwey was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for a place called Appleby. He became well-known in Parliament for his work on issues related to Ireland.

Working for Parliament

In 1647, Richard Salwey traveled with other important people to talk with the Duke of Ormond. Later, in 1651, he was part of a group called the commissioners for the Tender of Union. This group worked on plans to unite England and Scotland.

When the First Anglo-Dutch War began, there were big changes in how the navy was organized, especially after a defeat at the Battle of Dungeness. Richard Salwey, along with Henry Vane, George Thomson, and his friend John Carew, became key figures. They were effectively in charge of overseeing the Navy for Parliament.

Relationship with Oliver Cromwell

Richard Salwey was a supporter of Oliver Cromwell, who was a very powerful leader during this time. However, Salwey disagreed with Cromwell towards the end of the Rump Parliament. He even lost his position in the Navy in 1653 when there was a big change in the Admiralty, which manages the navy.

Salwey was chosen to be a member of Barebone's Parliament for Worcestershire. He was also appointed to the new English Council of State, which was a powerful governing body. But he chose not to attend its meetings because of his disagreements with Cromwell.

Later Life and Return to Parliament

Richard Salwey was one of several strict Puritans who had a house in Clapham, Surrey, during the late 1640s and early 1650s. He returned to Clapham in 1683 for the last two years of his life.

In 1654, he was appointed as the English ambassador to Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). However, he asked to be excused from this duty in 1655 and never actually left England.

In 1659, Salwey became active in Parliament again as a member of the restored Rump Parliament. He joined the Committee of Safety and the Council of State in May of that year. He also became a commissioner for the Navy once more. The Committee sent him and Sir Henry Vane to talk with John Lawson, a navy leader who was not cooperating, but they were not successful.

On January 16, 1660, Richard Salwey and William Sydenham were removed from Parliament. Salwey was then sent to the Tower of London.

After the English Restoration (when the monarchy was brought back), Salwey was suspected of being involved in a plot called the Farnley Wood Plot in 1663–64.

Family and Homes

In 1641, Richard Salwey married Anne Waring. Her father, Richard Waring, was a grocer and an important London official who worked with the Levant Company, a trading company.

Richard Salwey had enough money to build a country house called Haye Park in Shropshire. His home was also often linked to the nearby Richard’s Castle, which is just over the county line in Herefordshire. His son, who was also named Richard, later built another house nearby at Moor Park.