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William Ashurst (Roundhead) facts for kids

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William Ashurst (1607–1656) was an important English politician and soldier. He came from Ashurst's Hall in Dalton, Lancashire. William Ashurst served in the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, at different times between 1649 and 1654. He also fought as a soldier for the Parliamentarian army during the English Civil War.

Who Was William Ashurst?

William Ashurst was born in 1607. His family had lived at Ashurst's Hall for a very long time. His father was Henry Ashurst. William had two brothers who were also well-known. One brother, Henry Ashurst, became a successful merchant in London. His other brother, John Ashurst, was a high-ranking officer in the Parliamentarian army and even governed the city of Liverpool for a time.

William's Role in Politics

William Ashurst became a Member of Parliament (MP) in November 1640. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the government. He represented the area of Newton in what was called the Long Parliament. This was a very important time in English history.

Fighting in the English Civil War

During the English Civil War, William Ashurst was a major in the Parliamentarian army. This army fought against the King's army. William was also known for being a very religious person, following strict Puritan beliefs. After the war, in 1654, he was again elected as an MP. This time, he represented Lancashire in a new government group called the First Protectorate Parliament.

Family Life

William Ashurst was married to Dorothy Ellis. They had one son together, named Thomas. William Ashurst passed away in 1656.

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