Robert Shapcote facts for kids

Robert Shapcote (born 1621, died 1689) was an English lawyer and a very active politician. He came from Devon, a county in England. Robert Shapcote was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Tiverton four times between 1646 and 1660. This meant he helped make laws for England.

Later, he moved to Ireland and became an MP there too, representing Wicklow from 1661 to 1665. He also held important legal jobs like Solicitor-General for Ireland and Attorney-General for Ireland. During the English Civil War, he fought for the Parliamentary army.

Early Life and Start in Law

Robert Shapcote was born in 1621 and was the oldest son of Henry Shapcote and Wilmot Hill. He started studying law at Lincoln's Inn in 1638. This was like going to law school. By 1645, he became a lawyer.

From 1644 to 1646, he was a colonel in the army that supported Parliament during the English Civil War. This war was a big fight between the King and Parliament.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In 1646, Robert Shapcote was first elected as an MP for Tiverton. This was for a very long period of Parliament known as the Long Parliament. However, in 1649, he was removed from Parliament during an event called Pride's Purge.

He also held important local legal roles. By 1647, he was the Recorder of Tiverton, which meant he was a chief judge in the town. He was also a Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Devon, helping to keep law and order.

In 1654, he was elected MP for Tiverton again, this time for the First Protectorate Parliament. He continued to take on more responsibilities, like being a commissioner for the army in Devon.

Important Roles and Challenges

Robert Shapcote was re-elected as an MP for Tiverton in 1656 for the Second Protectorate Parliament. In the same year, he became the Solicitor-General for Ireland. This was a very important legal job, advising the government on legal matters.

In 1659, he tried to be elected MP for Tiverton again but it didn't work out. He became the Attorney-General for Ireland in March 1659, which is the chief legal officer for the government. He lost this job briefly but got it back in February 1660, only to leave it again in May 1660.

In April 1660, he was elected MP for Tiverton one last time for the Convention Parliament. He was very active in this Parliament, especially with issues related to Ireland and religious matters. He believed in religious freedom and didn't want the Church of England to have too much power. He famously said, "I am not against the Bishops, but their power."

Life in Ireland and Later Years

In 1661, Shapcote moved back to Ireland to continue his law career. He was offered another government job but politely said no. He ran for Parliament in Ireland and was elected for Wicklow.

People who supported Oliver Cromwell (known as Cromwellians) thought highly of him. However, those who supported the King (Royalists) didn't like him. They called him "a great fanatic" and a leader of "the seditious faction," meaning they thought he was causing trouble.

In 1663, a man named Captain Blood talked to Shapcote about a plan to attack Dublin Castle. Shapcote told him not to do it. Even so, Shapcote was arrested and accused of treason. The lawyers said it would be hard to prove he was guilty, so he was just kept in prison for a year.

After a year, a relative named Sir Courtenay Pole, 2nd Baronet helped him. Shapcote was pardoned and set free, but he was removed from the Irish Parliament. He continued to work as a lawyer in Ireland but did not get involved in politics again.

Family Life

On May 15, 1646, Robert Shapcote married Anne Walrond. She was the daughter of Henry II Walrond of Bradfield House in Devon. They had a son who sadly died young, and a daughter named Urith. Urith married her cousin Francis, but they did not have any children.

Death

Robert Shapcote died sometime before May 3, 1689. The exact date of his death is not known.