John Birch (soldier)
Colonel John Birch (7 September 1615 – 10 May 1691) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1691. He fought for the Parliamentary cause in the English civil war.
Birch played a significant role in the battle of Cropredy Bridge, Oxfordshire on 29 June 1644.
On 18 December 1645, Parliamentarians under the command of Birch and Colonel Morgan captured the City of Hereford.
In 1646 Birch besieged and captured Goodrich Castle from the Royalist Sir Henry Lingen. He was also elected Member of Parliament for Leominster as a recruiter to the Long Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Leominster in 1654, 1656, 1659 and 1660.[1]
Following the Restoration, Birch was elected MP for Penryn in the Cavalier Parliament. He was elected MP for Weobley in the two elections of 1679, in 1681, 1689 and 1690.[1]
Birch is buried in a monumental tomb in Weobley Church.
One of the regiments of the Sealed Knot historical reenactment association is Col. John Birch's Regiment.
References
- 1 2 Ferris, John P. (1983). "Birch, John (1615-91)". In Henning, B. D. The House of Commons 1660-1690. The History of Parliament Trust.
External links
- Brief history of the Life of John Birch (up to the start of his political career)
- Biography on British Civil Wars site
- Battle of Cropredy Bridge
- House of Commons Journal for 22 December 1645 recording the arrival of news of the capture of Hereford
- References to Col Birch in The Diary of Samuel Pepys
- Leigh Rayment's Historical List of MPs
| Parliament of England | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sampson Eure Walter Kyrle |
Member of Parliament for Leominster 1645-1648 With: Walter Kyrle |
Succeeded by Leominster not represented |
| Preceded by Leominster not represented |
Member of Parliament for Leominster 1653-1661 With: Edward Freeman 1659–60 Edward Pytts 1660–61 |
Succeeded by Ranald Grahme Humphrey Cornewall |
| Preceded by Samuel Enys James Robyns |
Member of Parliament for Penryn 1661 – 1679 With: William Pendarves 1661–73 Sir Robert Southwell from 1673 |
Succeeded by Francis Trefusis Sir Robert Southwell |
| Preceded by John Barneby William Gregory |
Weobley 1679–1685 With: William Gregory 1679 John Booth 1679-1685 |
Succeeded by Robert Price Henry Cornewall |
| Preceded by Robert Price Henry Cornewall |
Weobley 1689–1691 With: James Morgan 1689-1690 Robert Price 1690-1691 |
Succeeded by Thomas Foley Robert Price |