Samuel Turner (Royalist) facts for kids

Samuel Turner (who died around 1647) was an English doctor and a politician. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, at different times between 1625 and 1644. During the English Civil War, he supported the King's side, known as the Royalists.

Early Life and Education

Samuel Turner was the older son of Peter Turner, who was also a doctor and a Member of Parliament. His brother, also named Peter Turner, was a mathematician.

Samuel went to St Mary Hall, Oxford and earned his first degree in 1602. He then studied at St Alban Hall, Oxford, getting another degree in 1604. He later became a Doctor of Medicine in 1611 at the University of Padua in Italy.

Political Career and Challenges

Standing Up in Parliament

In 1625, Samuel Turner was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Shaftesbury. He quickly became well-known for speaking out against a powerful person called the Duke of Buckingham.

Turner said the Duke was causing many problems for the country. He also felt it was wrong for the Duke to hold so many important jobs.

King Charles's Reaction

His strong speeches made King Charles very angry. The King even sent a letter to the House of Commons, demanding that Turner be dealt with.

The House asked Turner to explain his words. He sent a letter back instead of showing up in person. He was also unwell, which stopped him from returning to Parliament before it was closed down.

Supporting the King

Turner was again elected to represent Shaftesbury in the Short Parliament. He was re-elected for Shaftesbury in the Long Parliament in November 1640.

Unlike his father, Samuel Turner supported the King and his advisors. He was one of the few who voted against punishing Strafford, a key advisor to the King.

English Civil War

When the English Civil War began, Samuel Turner immediately joined the King's army. He became a captain. In 1643, he led a Royalist group to victory against the Parliamentarians in a small battle near Henley-on-Thames.

Because he supported the Royalists, he was removed from the House of Commons in 1644. Later that year, he became a member of the King's Oxford Parliament, which met in Oxford.

Later Life

Samuel Turner passed away around 1647.