Somerset Fox facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Colonel
Somerset Fox
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|---|---|
| MP for Ludlow | |
| In office 1670–1679 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 1618 Caynham, Shropshire |
| Died | 1689 Ludlow |
| Nationality | English |
| Parents | Somerset Fox (d.1643); Anne Long |
| Occupation | Landowner, soldier, conspirator, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Royalists |
| Years of service | 1642 to 1646 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | First English Civil War Siege of Bristol |
Somerset Fox (born 1618 – died 1689) was an English soldier and landowner. He was a Cavalier, which meant he supported the King during the First English Civil War. After the war, he was accused of being part of a secret plan against England's leader, Oliver Cromwell. Fox admitted he was guilty of this serious crime.
He avoided the death penalty and was sent away from England. Later, when the King returned to power, Fox became a Member of Parliament for Ludlow.
Contents
About Somerset Fox
Early Life and Family
Somerset Fox was born in 1618 in Caynham, a town in Shropshire, England. He was the oldest son of Somerset Fox of Gwernygo and Anne Long. His family had been important in the Ludlow area of Shropshire since the 1400s.
Education and Military Service
In 1633, Fox went to University of Leiden in the Netherlands. Before the English Civil War, he gained military experience in Europe. During the war, he became a colonel in the Royalist army. He served under Prince Rupert in the city of Bristol.
English Civil War and Exile
In 1646, Fox was involved in giving up the town of Ludlow to the Parliament's forces. After this, he left England and lived in exile.
The Plot Against Oliver Cromwell
In May 1654, Fox was arrested along with his cousin, John Gerard, and another man named Peter Vowell. They were accused of planning to attack Oliver Cromwell, who was then the leader of England. The plan was to harm Cromwell as he traveled. Fox was supposedly in charge of finding young people to join the plot.
At their trial in June 1654, Somerset Fox admitted he was guilty. This was very rare for someone accused of such a serious crime. Because he confessed, Fox was sentenced to be sent away to Barbados. However, it seems he might have stayed in England until at least 1656. The other two men, Vowell and Gerard, were found guilty and faced severe punishment.
Return to England and Parliament
After the King returned to power in England, Somerset Fox also came back. King Charles II gave him a yearly payment of £300. In 1670, Fox was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Ludlow. He served during a time known as the "Cavalier Parliament".
Somerset Fox never married. He passed away in Ludlow in 1689.
