Richard Shuttleworth (MP for Preston) facts for kids
Richard Shuttleworth (1587–1669) was an important English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like one part of the government that makes laws. He served there many times between 1640 and 1659.
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Who Was Richard Shuttleworth?
Richard Shuttleworth was born in 1587. His father was Thomas Shuttleworth, and his mother was Anne Lever. In 1607, when he was about 20 years old, Richard inherited his family's large estate called Gawthorpe. This estate was in Lancashire, England.
Richard's Public Service
Richard Shuttleworth held several important jobs. He was the High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1618 and again in 1637. A High Sheriff was a very important local official. They helped keep law and order in their county.
In April 1640, Richard was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Preston. This was for a short meeting of Parliament called the Short Parliament. Later that year, in November 1640, he was chosen again for the Long Parliament. He stayed in Parliament until 1648.
During the English Civil War
During a time known as the Interregnum (which means "between reigns," when England didn't have a king), Richard Shuttleworth was a leading judge. He worked in the Blackburn area with another important person, John Starkie. Richard often helped people get married during this time.
Richard Shuttleworth supported the Parliamentarian side during the English Civil War. This war was fought between those who supported Parliament and those who supported the King. Richard even served as a colonel, a high-ranking officer, in the Parliament's army. Four of his sons also fought for Parliament in the war.
Later Political Life
After the Civil War, Richard Shuttleworth continued his political career. He was re-elected as a Member of Parliament for Preston in 1654. This was for the First Protectorate Parliament. He was elected again in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament. His last time serving in Parliament was in 1659, for the Third Protectorate Parliament.
Richard Shuttleworth passed away in 1669 when he was 82 years old. He had a large family with his wife, Fleetwood Barton. They had eight sons and four daughters. One of his sons, also named Richard, later became a Member of Parliament for a different area called Clitheroe.]
