William Ashton (MP) facts for kids
William Ashton (born 1575, died 1646) was an important English politician. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for different areas in England during the 1620s. He was known for his connections with the royal court and his role during the English Civil War.
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Who Was William Ashton?
William Ashton was born in 1575 and lived until 1646. He became a Member of Parliament, which means he was chosen by people to represent them in the English government. He represented the town of Hertford from 1621 to 1625. Later, he also represented Appleby in 1626 and 1628.
Connections to the Royal Court
Ashton had strong ties to the King's court. This means he knew and worked with powerful people close to the King. One of his important connections was with Robert Cecil, who was the Treasurer. The Treasurer managed the country's money. He also knew Robert Cecil's son, William Cecil. These connections were very helpful in his political career.
Life After Politics
When William Ashton retired from his main political roles, he bought a large piece of land. This land was part of a Royal forest called Feckenham Forest. Royal forests were special areas owned by the King, often used for hunting. This particular forest was being "disafforested," which means it was no longer kept just for the King. He also bought an estate, or a large property, in Hertfordshire.
William Ashton and the English Civil War
The English Civil War was a big conflict in England between 1642 and 1651. It was fought between those who supported the King (called Royalists or Cavaliers) and those who supported Parliament (called Parliamentarians or Roundheads).
Supporting Parliament
Even though William Ashton had strong connections to the King's court, he chose to support Parliament during the Civil War. He was very active in helping Parliament's cause, especially through the Middlesex County Committee. This committee helped organize support for Parliament in the county of Middlesex.
Religious Beliefs
William Ashton also became a Presbyterian Elder. Presbyterians were a group of Protestants who had different ideas about how the church should be run compared to the official Church of England at the time. His decision to become an Elder shows his strong religious beliefs and his alignment with the Parliamentarian side, as many Parliamentarians were Puritans or Presbyterians.
