11 Facts About Charles Fleetwood

Charles Fleetwood was the third son of Sir Miles Fleetwood of Aldwinkle, Northamptonshire, and of Anne, daughter of Nicholas Luke of Woodend, Bedfordshire.

Charles Fleetwood had already been appointed receiver of the court of wards, and in 1646 became member of parliament for Marlborough.

Charles Fleetwood negotiated with the remaining guerrilla bands to either surrender or to leave the country for service in the army of a country not at war with the Commonwealth of England.

Charles Fleetwood showed great severity in the prosecution of the Roman Catholic priests, and favoured the Anabaptists and the extreme Puritan sects to the disadvantage of the moderate Presbyterians, exciting great and general discontent, a petition being finally sent in for his recall.

Charles Fleetwood was a strong and unswerving follower of Cromwell's policy.

Charles Fleetwood supported Cromwell's assumption of the position of Lord Protector and his dismissal of the parliaments.

Charles Fleetwood approved of the Humble Petition and Advice, only objecting to the conferring of the title of "king" on Cromwell; became a member of the new House of Lords; and supported ardently Cromwell's foreign policy in Europe, based on religious divisions, and his defence of the Protestants persecuted abroad.

Charles Fleetwood was therefore, on Cromwell's death, naturally regarded as a likely successor, and it is said that Cromwell had in fact so nominated him.

On George Monck's approach from the North, Charles Fleetwood stayed in London and maintained order.

Charles Fleetwood was included in the Act of Indemnity as among the twenty liable to penalties other than capital, and was finally incapacitated from holding any office of trust.

Charles Fleetwood acquired by his marriage in 1664 to Mary, daughter of Sir John Coke and widow of Sir Edward Hartopp, an estate in Stoke Newington, then a village north of London; Charles Fleetwood House, next to Abney House on Church Street was named after him.