Sir William Constable, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir William Constable (born around 1590 – died 1655) was an important English soldier and politician. He lived during a time of big changes in England, known as the English Civil War and the period after, called the Interregnum. Sir William supported the Parliament's side during these conflicts. He played a part in the trial and execution of King Charles I.

Sir William Constable's Story

Early Life and Family

William Constable was the first son of Sir Robert Constable. His family owned large areas of land in places like Flamborough and Holme in Yorkshire, England. We don't know much about William's very early life.

In 1608, William Constable married the daughter of Lord Fairfax. Because of this marriage, King James I gave him the special title of baronet in 1611. A baronet is a title of honor, like a knight, but it can be passed down in the family.

A Career in Politics

After King James I died in 1625, William Constable found a friend and supporter in Sir Thomas Wentworth. Wentworth later became a very powerful person called the Earl of Strafford.

When Wentworth was made the High Sheriff of Yorkshire, he helped Constable. In 1626, Constable was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Yorkshire. This meant he helped make laws for the country. Then, in 1628, he became a Member of Parliament for Scarborough and served until 1629. Wentworth also made him his deputy-lieutenant, which was another important local role.

Facing Challenges and New Paths

By 1630, William Constable had serious money problems. He had to sell his family's lands and planned to move far away to New England. However, this plan did not work out. Instead, Constable and his wife moved to the Netherlands.

While living in the Netherlands, Constable became involved with a religious group called the Puritans. Important Puritan leaders like Philip Nye and Thomas Goodwin influenced him.

Constable returned to England in 1641. With help from his wife's brother, Lord Ferdinando Fairfax, he was again elected as a Member of Parliament for Knaresborough, Yorkshire.

The English Civil War

In 1642, the English Civil War began. This was a big fight between those who supported Parliament and those who supported King Charles I, known as the Royalists. William Constable raised a group of soldiers to fight for Parliament. He fought in an important battle called Edgehill.

In 1643, he was a commander under the Fairfax family in East Riding, Yorkshire. Even though he left his military role in 1645 because of a rule called the Self-Denying Ordinance, he remained an active supporter of Parliament. He later returned to the army and took charge of a group of soldiers. In 1648, he helped Colonel Hammond guard King Charles I at Carisbrooke Castle on the Isle of Wight.

A Role in King Charles I's Trial

From 1648, William Constable was part of the Army Council. This group was involved in the events leading up to the King's trial. He was chosen as a special judge, called a commissioner, for the King's treason trial. During the trial, he signed the document that ordered the King's execution.

After King Charles I was executed at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, Constable continued to serve. He was part of the Council of State, which helped govern England. He also attended many parliamentary meetings about military matters. In 1653, he was again the High Sheriff of Yorkshire.

Later Life and Legacy

Sir William Constable died in June 1655. This was during the time known as the Commonwealth, when England was a republic without a king. He was given a special State funeral and was buried in Westminster Abbey, a very famous church.

However, after the Monarchy was brought back in 1660, things changed. His body was removed from Westminster Abbey. It was then re-buried in a shared burial pit in St Margaret's Churchyard, Westminster.