Thomas Venner facts for kids
Thomas Venner (died January 19, 1661) was a cooper, which is someone who makes barrels. He became a rebel leader of a group called the Fifth Monarchy Men. This group believed that Jesus Christ would soon return to rule the Earth, and they wanted to prepare the way for his kingdom.
Venner and his followers tried to overthrow the government twice. First, they tried to remove Oliver Cromwell in 1657, but they failed. Later, in 1661, they led a surprise attack in London against the new king, Charles II. This event is known as "Venner's Rising." It lasted for four days, starting on January 6, 1661. The king's forces eventually captured the rebels. Thomas Venner and other leaders were executed on January 19, 1661.
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Early Life and Beliefs
Thomas Venner lived in New England for 22 years, starting in 1637. He then returned to England. He became the leader of the Fifth Monarchy Men after their previous leader, General Thomas Harrison, was executed in October 1660.
Venner's group met in a rented room above a tavern in London. Many of his followers were former soldiers from the New Model Army. They strongly believed that they were fighting for God's kingdom on Earth.
Venner's Rising
On January 6, 1661, Venner led about 50 of his men to St. Paul's Cathedral in London. They went to a bookseller named Mr. Johnson and demanded the keys to the Cathedral. When he refused, they broke in. Inside, they stopped people and asked them who they supported. When one person said "King Charles," the rebels attacked him.
Soldiers were sent to stop them, but the rebels fought them off. A larger group of soldiers, led by Major General Sir Richard Browne, attacked them. The rebels then retreated to Ken Wood near Highgate.
The Final Battle
On January 9, the rebels attacked again in London, near Wood Street and Threadneedle Street. They fought so fiercely that the King's Life Guard of Foot, a large force of 1,200 men, had to retreat.
The rebels then tried to break into the Comptor Prison. They hoped to free the prisoners so they would join their cause. However, they were stopped in a very tough fight. Venner himself fought bravely, causing several deaths with a long weapon called a halberd.
Capture and Aftermath
Soldiers led by Colonel Cox, from General Monck's army, chased the rebels to their last hiding places. These were the Helmet Tavern on Threadneedle Street and the Blue Anchor on Coleman Street. The royal troops broke through the roofs of these buildings and fired down on the rebels.
Thomas Venner was captured after being wounded many times. Other rebels were killed on the spot. Venner was put on trial at the Old Bailey. He was executed on January 19, 1661. Even at the end, Venner and his followers believed they were doing God's work.
Venner's Family
Thomas Venner had a son, also named Thomas (born in 1641). His son also became a rebel and led the cavalry for the Duke of Monmouth in 1688.
Venner's granddaughter, Elizabeth, married a man named John Potter. He later became a very important church leader, serving as the Bishop of Oxford and then the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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