30 Facts About William Lenthall

William Lenthall was an English politician of the Civil War period.

William Lenthall's ancestors had migrated from Herefordshire to Oxfordshire in the 15th century.

William Lenthall matriculated at St Alban Hall, Oxford in 1607 but left in 1609 without taking a degree.

William Lenthall moved to Lincoln's Inn and was called to the bar in 1616, becoming a bencher of the inn in 1633.

William Lenthall built up a successful legal practice, becoming recorder of Woodstock in 1621, an Oxfordshire magistrate in 1631, and recorder of Gloucester in 1638.

William Lenthall failed to be re-elected in 1625, but again represented the constituency during the 1640 Short Parliament, on several occasions being called upon to chair grand committees of the House on important subjects, including ship money and parliamentary grievances.

However, the journal of Sir Simonds d'Ewes suggests that in the opening months of the Long Parliament William Lenthall was very much in control of proceedings.

William Lenthall introduced or codified a variety of procedural rules including the establishment of the duration of parliamentary privilege before and after sittings, the imposition of a penalty for speaking when another member had the floor, and the rule that while one piece of business was before the House a motion on another could not be made.

William Lenthall was concerned about his personal finances, pleading the prospect of financial ruin if he were to continue.

William Lenthall studied the benches for 'a pretty while' then lamented "all my birds have flown".

William Lenthall remained in the chair, supporting the Parliamentary cause but without much sympathy toward those diehard Protestants who were seeking radical ecclesiastical reform.

William Lenthall declared that he would take himself to the army, and would return only when free to resume his office.

William Lenthall was re-installed in the chair, and all votes passed during his absence were subsequently annulled.

William Lenthall sympathized with the Independents in parliament, and was portrayed by royalist newspapers in 1648 as being their tool, plotting to manipulate the House in their interests.

William Lenthall remained silent, and had probably been warned in advance.

William Lenthall used his influence, when he thought it safe to do so, to help some royalists, using his casting vote at times to save the lives of some.

William Lenthall rose to the occasion, announcing to Harrison that he would not come down unless he was pulled out.

Harrison stretched out an arm and William Lenthall submitted, doubtless realising the futility of resistance.

William Lenthall nevertheless took a full part in the proceedings, being the senior member on the committee charged with settling the new constitutional arrangements.

William Lenthall was reluctant to give up his seat in the Other House and pleaded ill health, but when he was bypassed and parliament summoned without his aid he felt himself obliged to resume his role as speaker the following day.

William Lenthall now presided over a revived parliament of only 78 members, and in spite of his parallel role as head of the army, division between parliament and the army deepened.

William Lenthall himself was denied access by the blockading soldiers, and had to turn back.

William Lenthall was active in bringing about the Restoration, with his advice and service, but found himself out of favour.

Monck lobbied to have William Lenthall elected for Oxford University, but without success.

William Lenthall requested that his only epitaph should be Vermis sum.

William Lenthall's only surviving son was the politician John Lenthall.

William Lenthall had two chief residences, Burford Priory in Oxfordshire and Besselsleigh Manor in Berkshire.

William Lenthall was one of the overseers of the will of Sir Lawrence Tanfield, Lord Falkland's grandfather, and had married into Tanfield's second wife's family.

William Lenthall may have acquired paintings from the Royal collection following the execution of Charles I The collection was sold by the family in 1833.

William Lenthall has always been a figure who has divided opinion.