Fatal Vow
Robert Pierrepont called heaven to witness that he would never pick a side in the Civil War.
July 25 1643
King Charles I 1625-1649
Robert Pierrepont called heaven to witness that he would never pick a side in the Civil War.
July 25 1643
King Charles I 1625-1649
Robert Pierrepont (1584-1623), 1st Earl of Kingston-upon-Hull, sided with Charles I in the Civil War after much debate. Soon afterwards, on July 16th, 1643, he was captured by the Parliamentarians at Gainsborough, and died in a botched rescue attempt. When the war was over, and Charles II had been restored to his throne, Lucy Hutchinson added a strange detail to the Earl’s sad story.
The Earl of Kingston a few months stood neuter [neutral], and would not declare himself for either party, and being a man of great wealth and dependencies, many people hung in suspense, by his example; whereupon the gentlemen of Nottingham often spoke to his son,* to persuade his father to declare himself; but he told them, he knew his father’s affections were firm to the parliament, that he had encouraged him to join with them, and promised him money to carry it on, and such like things, which he continually assured them; till the colonel’s cold behaviour, and some other passages,* made them at length, those at least who were firm to the cause, jealous both of the father and the son.* Hereupon, when the danger grew more imminent, and my lord lay out a brave prey* to the enemy, they sent Captain Lomax, one of the committee,* to understand his affections from himself, and to press him to declare for the parliament, in that so needful a season.
* William Pierrepont (?1607-1678). He was a Member of the House of Commons, serving Great Wenlock in Shropshire, and supported the Parliamentary cause.
* That is, incidents.
* That is, both Royalists and Parliamentarians wanted to keep hold of the Earl and his son. ‘Jealous’ means ‘vigilant in guarding a possession’.
* ‘Brave prey’ means a rich prize. The Earl was more and more revealed as a rich prize for the Parliamentarians to take.
* The Committee of Safety was established by the Parliamentarians in July 1642, to oversee the defence of London and the handling of the Civil War. William Pierrepont, son of the Earl but also a Member of the House of Commons, was one of the committee members. There is no Captain Lomax in the list of members; presumably he had the Committee’s authority for his actions.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What did the Parliamentarians ask the Earl’s son to do?
To persuade his father to join them.
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Robert Pierrepont was wealthy. Many men worked for him. Royalists and Parliamentarians each wanted his support.
See if you can include one or more of these words in your answer.
IBring. IICommit. IIIVie.