John Hampden Biography and Timeline

Reform of Legal System

Launches an appeal against the "ship money" in the High Court but fails

Election for Buckinghamshire

Hampden returns to Parliament as a prominent opponent of ship money.

Short Parliament

Hampden opposes granting subsidies before the Commons examines national grievances.

Opposition to Immediate Subsidies

Hampden supports examining grievances before granting the King new taxation.

Election to Long Parliament

Hampden is re-elected and helps coordinate parliamentary opposition.

Investigation of Ship Money Judges

Hampden supports inquiries into judges who upheld the national ship money levy.

Regular Parliament Safeguard

Hampden supports legislation guaranteeing that Parliament must meet regularly.

Management of Strafford Case

Hampden assists parliamentary managers preparing evidence against Strafford.

Protection from Dissolution

Hampden backs the act requiring Parliament's consent before dissolution.

Star Chamber Act Supported

Hampden backs legislation removing Star Chamber jurisdiction.

Ship Money Judgment Reversed

Hampden sees legislation overturn the fiscal principle used against him.

Forest Boundary Reform

Hampden supports restrictions on fiscal exploitation of expanded royal forest boundaries.

Response to Irish Rebellion

Hampden backs parliamentary measures responding to reports from Ireland.

Irish Relief Forces Debate

Hampden supports parliamentary oversight of troops intended for Ireland.

Grand Remonstrance Support

Hampden supports passage of the Remonstrance in the closely divided Commons.

Accusation of High Treason

Charles I accuses John Hampden and other parliamentary leaders of high treason.

Named in Treason Accusation

Hampden is accused alongside Pym and other parliamentary leaders.

Escape from Royal Arrest

Hampden avoids the attempted royal arrest and shelters within the City.

Failed Arrest of Five Members

Hampden escapes before Charles enters the Commons to arrest the parliamentary leaders.

Committee of Safety Service

Hampden joins Parliament's central committee for military affairs.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Edgehill

Hampden reaches the battlefield late and reinforces Essex's Parliamentarian army.

Role range: 1642-1649

Reinforcement Arrives at Edgehill

Hampden arrives late with Parliamentarian troops and joins the closing stages.

Role range: 1642-1649

Raising of Greencoat Regiment

Hampden raises a Parliamentarian infantry regiment in Buckinghamshire and becomes one of Parliament's prominent wartime leaders.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Chalgrove Field

Defeated & killed by Royalists

Role range: 1642-1649

Pursuit of Prince Rupert

Hampden joins the hurried Parliamentarian pursuit of Prince Rupert's raiding column before the fighting at Chalgrove.

Role range: 1642-1649

Wounding at Chalgrove

Hampden is mortally wounded in the shoulder during the Parliamentarian cavalry defeat at Chalgrove.

Role range: 1642-1649

Death at Thame

Hampden dies at Thame from wounds received six days earlier during the Battle of Chalgrove.

Role range: 1642-1649