Vincent Potter facts for kids

Vincent Potter (born around 1614, died 1661) was an important army officer. He fought for the Parliament's army during the English Civil War. He was also one of the people who signed the death warrant for King Charles I of England. These people were known as Regicides.

Early Life and His Start in the Army

Vincent Potter was born in a place called Warwickshire, England. When he was about 21 years old, in 1635, he traveled across the ocean to America. He joined the Massachusetts Bay Company, which was a group that helped people settle in the new lands.

In America, he worked as a soldier at a place called Castle Island Fort in Boston, Massachusetts. He stayed there for four years. Some people think he might have even fought in a conflict called the Pequot War before he came back to England.

Potter was a very religious man, following a strict form of Christianity called Puritanism. He used to trade goods with New England. But then, he decided to join the army that supported Parliament against the King. In 1643, he became an officer in the cavalry (soldiers who fight on horseback) under Robert Greville, 2nd Baron Brooke. Even after Baron Brooke died, Potter kept fighting as a cavalry officer until 1645. After that, he took over a special job from his brother, Captain John Potter. He became a parliamentary commissioner for the army.

His Important Work as a Commissioner

Vincent Potter was a very hard-working commissioner. His job was to help manage the army's money and make sure soldiers were paid. He even created special lists of former soldiers, which people called "Potter's lists." These lists helped him figure out how much money the army owed to its soldiers. He became the most important person in charge of this kind of work. He continued doing this important job during the Second English Civil War.

Working with Oliver Cromwell

In June, Vincent Potter was promoted to a high rank, becoming a full colonel. He played a big part in planning and organizing how supplies and soldiers would move for Oliver Cromwell's army when they went to Ireland. He did a similar job for Cromwell during his army's journey to Scotland in 1651. This was part of the Third English Civil War.

Potter stayed in Scotland for a while. His mission was to help improve the lands that the English army had taken control of. In 1652, he was sent to Ireland to help the Parliament's government there.

His Final Days

When the King's rule was brought back to England in 1660, a time known as the Restoration, Vincent Potter gave himself up. He followed the rules that were announced. He was one of the people who were not allowed to keep their property or even their lives, according to a law called the Indemnity and Oblivion Act. However, it was decided that his punishment would be decided later by a new law.

Vincent Potter was brought to trial on October 16, 1660. He said he was not guilty. His trial began on November 16. He asked for a delay because he said he was very sick and in a lot of pain. But the trial continued. He was found guilty of a very serious crime called high treason. This was because of his role in the death of King Charles I. He was sentenced to death. However, he died in the Tower of London in late 1661 or early 1662 before his sentence could be carried out.