Walter Strickland facts for kids
Walter Strickland (born around 1598 – died November 1, 1671) was an important English politician and diplomat. He held high positions during a time in England called the Protectorate, when the country was not ruled by a king.
Contents
Walter Strickland: A Life in Politics
Early Life and Education
Walter Strickland was the younger son of a man also named Walter Strickland from a place called Boynton. His older brother, William, became a knight and a baronet. He was also a Member of Parliament, which means he was elected to help make laws for the country. Walter followed his brother to study at Queens' College, Cambridge and then at Gray's Inn, a famous law school. When he was young, people called him "Wild Walter" because he was a bit reckless. There's a story that he once rode his horse right over the roof of a local church!
A Diplomat for England
When the English Civil War started in 1642, Walter Strickland was chosen by the Parliament to be their Ambassador-General to the United Provinces of the Netherlands. An ambassador is like a country's representative in another country. His job was to talk to the Dutch government, called the States General. He complained that the Dutch Prince, William II, Prince of Orange, was helping King Charles I against Parliament.
Even though his complaints didn't change much, Parliament was happy with his work. They gave him a salary and he stayed in the Hague, the capital of the Netherlands. He tried to stop the Royalists (those who supported the King) from getting money and soldiers there. Being an ambassador was risky because many Dutch people supported the Royalists. Strickland often faced threats. Sadly, his colleague, Isaac Dorislaus, who was also an ambassador, was murdered by Scottish Royalists.
Important Missions and Challenges
In 1650, Strickland returned to England and Parliament thanked him for his service. But the next year, after Prince William II of Orange died, Strickland was sent back to the Netherlands. This time, he went with another important person, Oliver St John. They tried to create a strong alliance between England and the Netherlands. They even suggested that the two countries might become one!
However, the Dutch people and their leaders were not interested in joining forces, especially not for a "Protestant crusade" against Catholic countries. Strickland and St John couldn't convince them. They returned home, and soon after, relations between England and the Netherlands worsened, leading to the First Anglo-Dutch War.
Serving in Parliament
Walter Strickland was elected to Parliament in 1645 for the area of Minehead. After his final return from Holland in 1651, he became very active in English politics. He was chosen to be part of the English Council of State several times. This council was a powerful group that helped govern England after the King was removed.
After the Parliament was dissolved, Strickland was one of four civilians chosen by the army to help rule the country. He also served in the Barebone's Parliament, which was a special Parliament chosen by Oliver Cromwell.
Working with Oliver Cromwell
In 1654, Strickland was made captain of the grey-coated foot-guards, who protected Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England. This job gave him a key role in important ceremonies. He continued to serve in Parliament for the East Riding and Newcastle and was a member of Cromwell's councils of state. In 1657, he was even appointed to Cromwell's "House of Lords," a special group of advisors, though this group did not last after the King returned to power.
After Oliver Cromwell died, Strickland continued to serve on the council for Cromwell's son, Richard Cromwell. When the Long Parliament was brought back, he took his seat again. He was also part of the English Committee of Safety, a group set up by the army in 1659. When King Charles II returned to the throne, Walter Strickland was not seen as a threat and was allowed to live peacefully.
Family Life
Walter Strickland married Anne Morgan, who was the daughter of Sir Charles Morgan. Sir Charles was a governor of a place called Bergen op Zoom. Anne became an English citizen in 1651. Walter and Anne did not have any children.
