Robert Tichborne facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Tichborne
Sheriff of the City of London
In office 1651–1651 Serving with Richard Chiverton
Lord Mayor of London
In office October 1656 – October 1657
Preceded by	John Dethick
Succeeded by	Richard Chiverton
Personal details
Born	c. 1604
Died	1682 Tower of London
Known for	Regicide of Charles I

Robert Tichborne (born around 1604, died around 1682) was an important English person. He was a merchant, a politician, and a military officer. He even became the Lord Mayor of London in 1656. He was also involved in the trial of King Charles I.

Before the English Civil War began, Robert Tichborne worked as a linen-draper, selling cloth. When the war started, he joined the army. By 1643, he was a captain in London's trained bands, which were like local militias. In 1647, he became the Lieutenant of the Tower of London. Tichborne held strong beliefs about how the country should be run. He believed England should be a republic, meaning it should not have a king.

He was one of the people who signed the document that led to King Charles I's trial. In 1651, he helped set up the government in Scotland. He also served in important parliaments during this time. He was made a knight in 1655 and became the Lord Mayor of London in 1656. After the king's son, Charles II, returned to power, Tichborne was imprisoned for the rest of his life in the Tower of London. He also wrote two books about religion.

Who Was Robert Tichborne?

Robert Tichborne was born around 1599 and died in 1682. He was connected to the Tichborne family from Winchester, England. This family had a long history, with ancestors like Sir John Tichborne, who was a sheriff in the 1400s.

A special handwritten family tree was made for Robert Tichborne in 1658. This was after he had been the Lord Mayor of London. It showed his family's coat of arms, which had a special mark. This mark meant he was a second son in his family line.

Robert Tichborne's father was also named Robert Tichborne. His family had connections to wealthy iron foundry owners. Early in his life, Robert Tichborne worked as a linen-draper in London. His shop was in a busy area called Cheapside.

Robert Tichborne and the Civil War

When the English Civil War began, Robert Tichborne chose to fight for Parliament. In 1643, he was a captain in the Yellow Regiment. This was one of London's trained bands, which were groups of citizens trained as soldiers.

In February 1643, Tichborne was part of a group from London. They asked the House of Commons to reject a peace treaty with the king. Some people at the time said he was not a great soldier. However, by 1647, he had become a colonel. He was also put in charge of the Tower of London by Lord Fairfax. Tichborne had very strong political ideas. He believed in a republic and was an independent thinker in his religious views.

His Role in the King's Trial

On January 15, 1649, Robert Tichborne presented a request to Parliament. This request was from London citizens. They wanted the king to be put on trial and for England to become a republic.

Tichborne was chosen to be one of the judges for the king's trial. He signed the document that led to the king's trial. He attended almost every meeting of the court during this important time.

Serving During the Commonwealth

After the king's trial, England became a republic called the Commonwealth. On October 23, 1651, Parliament chose Tichborne for an important job. He was one of eight people sent to Scotland. Their task was to help set up the government there. They also worked to prepare Scotland to join with England.

On May 14, 1652, the English Parliament thanked him for his work in Scotland. In 1650, he also served as one of the sheriffs of London.

Life During the Protectorate

Robert Tichborne was a representative for London in the "Little Parliament." He was also a member of two important councils that advised the government.

In 1651, Tichborne was a Sheriff of the City of London. In 1655, he attended a meeting called the Whitehall Conference. Here, he represented London merchants. They discussed whether Jewish people should be allowed to return to England. The merchants were mostly against this idea.

In 1656, he was chosen to be the Lord Mayor of London. Oliver Cromwell, who was the Lord Protector, made him a knight in December 1655. Cromwell also asked him to join his special House of Lords in December 1657. On April 17, 1658, Tichborne led the Yellow Regiment. He was also part of the London Militia Committee. He presented a message from the London trained bands to Oliver Cromwell.

After Cromwell's Rule

After Oliver Cromwell's son, Richard Cromwell, lost power, Robert Tichborne became less important. However, in October 1659, the army took control of Parliament. Tichborne was then appointed to a "committee of safety" by the army. He was also named one of the "conservators of liberty" in December.

Some people said he had wanted Richard Cromwell to return to power. When the old Parliament came back, Tichborne's political career ended. On April 20, 1660, an order was given to arrest Tichborne. He was seen as a strong supporter of the old republican ideas in London. He was released on bail a few days later.

The King Returns to Power

When King Charles II returned to England, Tichborne gave himself up. This was in response to the king's announcement on June 16. He seemed unsure at first, leaving and then returning to custody. Royalist writers celebrated his imprisonment.

His Trial and Punishment

Robert Tichborne was put on trial on October 10, 1660. He said he was not guilty, but he admitted to what he had done. He said he was young and did not know much about laws or Parliament at the time. He stated that if he had known then what he knew now, he would never have been involved.

He was found guilty of a serious crime against the king. His property, which he had gained during the Civil War, was taken away. He was sentenced to death. However, his death sentence was not carried out right away. This was because of a law called the Indemnity and Oblivion Act. This law said that certain people who had surrendered would not be executed unless Parliament passed a special law. It was also said that Tichborne had helped save the lives of some royalists during the previous government. A bill to try Tichborne and others passed one part of Parliament in 1662. But it was dropped after Tichborne spoke in his own defense.

Life in Prison

In July 1662, Tichborne was moved to Holy Island prison. He became very ill there. His wife asked for him to be moved, and he was transferred to Dover Castle. His wife and children were allowed to live with him while he was imprisoned at Dover. He remained a prisoner for the rest of his life. Robert Tichborne died in the Tower of London in July 1682.

Images for kids

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  An engraving of Robert Tichborne.