John Birch (Roundhead)
Colonel John Birch (7 September 1615 – 10 May 1691) was an English soldier and politician from Manchester, who fought for the Parliamentarian cause in the First English Civil War, and sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1691.
Colonel John Birch MP, JP | |
|---|---|
John Birch's monument, St Peter & St Paul's, Weobley | |
| MP for Weobley | |
| In office 1679–1691 | |
| MP for Penryn | |
| In office 1661–1679 | |
| High Steward of Leominster | |
| In office 1648–1660 | |
| MP for Leominster | |
| In office 1646–1660 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 September 1615 Ardwick Manor, near Manchester |
| Died | 10 May 1691 (aged 75) Garnstone Manor, Weobly |
| Resting place | St Peter and St Paul's, Weobley |
| Nationality | English |
| Spouse(s) | Alice Deane (died 1671) Winifred Norris (died 1717) |
| Relations | Thomas Birch (1608-1678) |
| Children | Two sons, three daughters |
| Parent(s) | Samuel and Mary Birch |
| Occupation | Wine merchant, soldier, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | England 1642–1646 |
| Years of service | 1642 to 1646 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Commands | Governor of Hereford 1645-1646 |
| Battles/wars |
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Excluded from Parliament in Pride's Purge of December 1648, he was also prevented from taking his seat for Leominster under the Protectorate. After the Stuart Restoration in 1660, he sat on over 122 Parliamentary Committees, particularly those connected with finance.
Although Presbyterian by upbringing, he voted in favour of the 1673 and 1678 Test Acts, requiring holders of public office to be members of the Church of England. He himself conformed, supported the exclusion of the Catholic James II in 1679, and backed the 1689 Glorious Revolution.
Considered a "great Parliamentarian", his contemporary Gilbert Burnet summarised him as follows; "He was the roughest and boldest speaker in the House, and talked in the language and phrases of a carrier, but with a beauty and eloquence that was always acceptable. He spoke always with much life and heat, but judgment was not his talent."