Robert Yeamans facts for kids
Robert Yeamans (who also spelled his name Yeomans) was an English merchant from Bristol. He lived during a time when England was in a big conflict called the English Civil War. In early 1643, Robert Yeamans was a Royalist, meaning he supported King Charles I of England. He planned with other Royalists to help the King's army take control of Bristol.
However, the plot was found out by the city's governor, Nathaniel Fiennes, who supported Parliament. Yeamans was put on trial for being a traitor. He was found guilty and executed.
Robert Yeamans' Early Life
Robert Yeamans came from a large family in Bristol. He was a well-known merchant and a member of the city council in Bristol. From 1641 to 1642, he served as the Sheriff of Bristol. This was an important job in the city.
Yeamans strongly supported the King. He even got permission from King Charles I to gather soldiers from Bristol to fight for the King. But before he could do this, the city was taken over by Parliament's army in December 1642. In February 1643, Nathaniel Fiennes became the military governor of Bristol for Parliament.
The Bristol Plot to Aid the King
In early 1643, Yeamans came up with a secret plan. He wanted to help the city of Bristol be taken over by the Royalist army, which was led by Prince Rupert. Yeamans talked with King Charles I, who was in Oxford at the time. The King gave him permission to recruit men for his service.
The plan was for Prince Rupert to bring a large army of four thousand horsemen and two thousand foot soldiers to Durdham Down, just outside Bristol. At the same time, the Royalists inside Bristol, who were thought to be about two thousand strong, would open the Frome-gate. This would let Rupert's forces into the city. The secret plan was set to happen on the night of March 7, 1643.
Governor Fiennes found out about the plot. On March 7, before Yeamans and his main partners could carry out their plan, they were arrested at Yeamans' house on Wine Street. Parliament quickly published a report about the plot on March 13. After many people were questioned in March and April, Yeamans was found guilty by a special military court on May 8. He was sentenced to death for being a traitor.
King Charles I tried hard to save Yeamans. Lord Forth, a Royalist commander, even threatened to execute some of Parliament's prisoners if Yeamans was harmed. But this threat did not work. Governor Fiennes also had other important Royalist prisoners. To prevent more deaths, King Charles ordered that no Royalist prisoners should be executed in return.
Robert Yeamans was executed in a very harsh way right in front of his house. His friend and fellow plotter, George Bouchier, was also executed with him. Yeamans was buried in Christ Church in Bristol.
Robert Yeamans' Family Life
According to Royalist records, Robert Yeamans had a wife, who was also named Yeamans and was a relative. They had eight young children, and a ninth child was born after his death. Many other members of the Yeamans family were important in local matters in Bristol and even in Barbados.
One of Robert Yeamans' children whose connection is known was his daughter Anne. She married Thomas Curtis, who was a Quaker from Reading. Anne later helped to get George Fox, a famous Quaker leader, released from prison in 1660. Other members of the Yeamans family were also Quakers. One of them married Isabel, who was the daughter of Margaret Fell and the stepdaughter of George Fox.
