Richard Taylor (Royalist) facts for kids

Richard Taylor (1620 – 30 November 1667) was an English politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, from 1661 until his death in 1667. He was a strong supporter of the King's side, known as the Royalists, during the English Civil War.

Early Life and Education

Richard Taylor was born in 1620 and was baptized on March 20th of that year. His father, also named Richard Taylor, was a lawyer from Grymsbury, a place in Bolnhurst, Bedfordshire. His mother was Elizabeth Boteler.

When he was 16, in 1636, Richard went to Magdalen College, Oxford, a famous university. The next year, in 1637, he also studied law at Lincoln's Inn in London. When his father passed away in 1641, Richard inherited part of his family's land in Clapham, Bedfordshire.

Role in the English Civil War

The English Civil War was a big conflict in England between those who supported King Charles I (the Royalists) and those who supported Parliament. Richard Taylor joined the Royalist army and fought under a leader named Sir Ralph Hopton.

Because he supported the King, Richard faced problems when Parliament won the war. His land in Clapham was taken away for a time, and he had to pay a large fine of £450 in 1647. Later, in 1655, he was asked to pay another £90.

After the King was restored to power in 1660, it was noted that Richard had "continued faithful" to the King throughout the war. He was even put in prison several times for his loyalty. He was considered for a special honor called the Knight of the Royal Oak, which was for people who had been very loyal to the King.

A Career in Politics

After the King returned, Richard Taylor became an important person in Bedfordshire.

Local Government Roles

• From July 1660 until his death, he served as a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Bedfordshire. A J.P. helps keep law and order in the local area.
• From August 1660, he was also a Deputy Lieutenant for Bedfordshire. This role involved helping with military and defense matters.
• He was a commissioner for assessment, which meant he helped decide how much tax people should pay.
• He also served as a J.P. for the town of Bedford in September 1660 and again in 1661 and 1662.

Member of Parliament

In 1661, Richard Taylor was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for the town of Bedford. He served in a Parliament known as the Cavalier Parliament, which was in power after the King was restored. He held this important position until he passed away.

Family and Death

Richard Taylor married Catherine Bosdon on May 17, 1648. They had a large family with five sons and three daughters.

Richard Taylor died when he was 47 years old. He was buried in Clapham, the same place where he had inherited land from his father.