John Swinfen (19 March 1613 – 12 April 1694) was an English politician [1] who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1645 and 1691. He supported the Parliamentary cause in a civil capacity in the English Civil War.
John Swinfen | |
|---|---|
 portrait by Godfrey Kneller | |
| Born | 19 March 1613  |
| Died | 10 May 1694 (aged 81) Birmingham |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Position held | Member of Parliament in the Parliament of England |
Swinfen was probably the son of Richard Swinfen, of Swinfen, Staffordshire. He was educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge and graduated BA in 1632.[2] In 1645, Swinfen was elected Member of Parliament for Stafford in the Long Parliament.[3] He was excluded in Pride's Purge in 1648. He was one of the Parliamentary Commissioners for Staffordshire.
In 1659, Swinfen was elected MP for Tamworth in the Third Protectorate Parliament.[3] He was elected MP for Stafford in 1660 in the Convention Parliament.[3] In 1661 he was elected MP for Tamworth for the Cavalier Parliament and sat until 1679. He was re-elected MP for Tamworth in 1681 and sat until 1685.[3] In 1690, he was elected MP for Bere Alston and sat until 1691.[3]
Swinfen lived at Swinfen Hall near Freeford. He was commonly called " Russet-coat," from his affected plainness of dress.[4] He died at the age of 81 and was buried at Weeford, Staffordshire.[2]
Swinfen married Ann Brandreth, daughter of John Brandreth and Jane Weston.[2]
References
edit- ^ The History of Parliament Trust, SWINFEN (SWYNFEN), John (1613-94), of Swinfen, Weeford, Staffs retrieved December 2017
- ^ a b c "Swinfen, John (SWNN612J)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
- ^ a b c d e History of Parliament Online - Swinfen, John
- ^ Handbook for travellers in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, and Staffordshire