John Strangways (died 1666)

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Sir John Strangways (27 September 1585 – 30 December 1666) of Melbury House, Melbury Sampford, Somerset, and of Abbotsbury in Dorset, was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1614 and 1666. He supported the Royalist side in the English Civil War.

Arms of Strangways: Sable, two lions passant paly of six argent and gules

Origins

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He was born on 27 September 1585, the 3rd but 2nd surviving son of John Strangways (c.1548-1593) of Melbury Sampford, Sheriff of Dorset,[1] by his wife Dorothy Thynne, a daughter of Sir John Thynne (c.1515-1580) of Longleat in Wiltshire,[2] steward to Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset, a Member of Parliament, the builder of Longleat House and ancestor of the Marquesses of Bath.

Career

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He was appointed Sheriff of Dorset for 1612 and in 1614 elected Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was re-elected MP for Dorset in 1621 and 1624. In 1625 he was elected MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and was re-elected MP for Weymouth in 1626. He was elected MP for Dorset again in 1628 and sat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.[3]

In April 1640, Strangways was re-elected MP for Weymouth in the Short Parliament and was re-elected for the Long Parliament in November 1640.[3] He supported the King's cause with great vigour and was disabled from sitting in parliament in September 1642. In 1645 he was captured at Sherborne Castle and was committed to the Tower of London. He was allowed to compound for his liberty, and offered £7000 which was refused. In 1648 he was released from imprisonment and his son Giles remained as a hostage until his fine was paid.[4]

In 1661 Strangways was elected an MP for Weymouth for the Cavalier Parliament remaining until his death in 1666.[3]

Marriages and children

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He married twice:

Death

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Strangways died at the age of 81.

Sources

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  • Ferris, John. P., biography of "Strangways, Sir John (1585-1666), of Melbury Sampford, Dorset", published in History of Parliament: House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983"[2]
  • John. P. Ferris & Paul Hunneyball, biography of "Strangways (Strangwish), Sir John (1585-1666), of Melbury Sampford and Abbotsbury, Dorset", published in History of Parliament: House of Commons 1604-1629, ed. Andrew Thrush and John P. Ferris, 2010 [3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Ferris
  2. ^ Ferris, John. P., biography of "Strangways, Sir John (1585-1666), of Melbury Sampford, Dorset", published in History of Parliament: House of Commons 1660-1690, ed. B.D. Henning, 1983"[1]
  3. ^ a b c History of Parliament Online - Strangways, John
  4. ^ George Alfred Ellis The history and antiquities of the borough and town of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis
Parliament of England
Preceded by
Sir Thomas Freke
John Williams
Member of Parliament for Dorset
1614
With: Sir Mervyn Audley 1614
Thomas Trenchard 1621–1622
Sir George Hussey 1624
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis
1625–1626
With: Arthur Pyne
Thomas Myddelton
Bernard Michell
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Dorset
1628–1629
With: Sir George Hussey
Parliament suspended until 1640
Vacant Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis
1640–1642
With: Giles Strangways 1640
Thomas Gyard 1640
Richard King 1640–1642
Sir Gerrard Napier, 1st Baronet 1640–1642
Sir Walter Erle 1640–1642
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis
1661–1666
With: Bullen Reymes
Sir William Penn
Winston Churchill
Succeeded by