John Pym Biography

Birth of John Pym

Birth of John Pym, later a leading parliamentary opponent of Charles I

Pym is returned for Tavistock and prepares to lead opposition in the Commons.

Pym emerges as a leading Commons spokesman when the Short Parliament opens.

Pym identifies religious innovation, arbitrary taxation and ministerial misconduct as national grievances.

Pym argues that constitutional grievances must precede any grant of taxation.

Pym catalogues political, financial and religious grievances before discussing supply.

Pym delivers the central Commons argument against voting subsidies before redress.

Pym opposes the Lords attempt to influence taxation proceedings in the Commons.

Pym urges Charles to negotiate with Scotland and continue parliamentary deliberation.

Pym joins efforts asking the King to delay dissolution and address grievances.

Pym encourages committees to hear petitions from people harmed during Personal Rule.

Pym coordinates attacks on ministers, taxation and religious innovations.

Pym maintains discreet communication with Scottish opponents of royal religious policy.

Pym again represents Tavistock and assumes leadership of the Commons reform programme.

Pym seeks systematic remedies for abuses associated with the King’s Personal Rule.

Pym supports creation of a grand committee to examine religious grievances.

Pym and his allies prepared to strike against Strafford before the Earl could act against them.

Pym moves rapidly to impeach Strafford as the principal architect of arbitrary government.

Pym supports statutory limits on the Crown's ability to govern without Parliament.

Pym presents Parliament's principal accusations at the opening of Strafford's trial.

Pym leads the parliamentary case when Strafford's public trial begins.

Pym introduced a bill of attainder when conviction through the impeachment process appeared uncertain.

Pym investigates attempts to use army officers against the Long Parliament.

Pym supports statutory protection against dissolution of the Long Parliament.

Pym's campaign removes the King's most powerful minister from government.

Pym connects church reform with broader safeguards against arbitrary government.

Pym supports legislation intended to abolish episcopal government in the Church of England.

Pym supports parliamentary control over customs revenue.

Pym supports legislation abolishing Star Chamber and related prerogative jurisdiction.

Pym supports abolition of the prerogative court associated with arbitrary royal punishment.

Pym argues that bishops should not exercise coercive political power.

Pym supports legislation declaring ship money unlawful without parliamentary authority.

Pym argues that Parliament must influence any army sent to Ireland.

Pym circulates proposals that develop into the Grand Remonstrance against royal government.

Pym demands guarantees that forces raised for Ireland cannot be used against Parliament.

Pym formally introduces the lengthy catalogue of grievances against royal government.

Pym argues that the King should appoint counsellors trusted by Parliament.

Pym secures passage of the Grand Remonstrance by 159 votes to 148.

Pym links the Irish rebellion with Parliament's demand for influence over military command.

Pym supports publication of the document to appeal directly to public opinion.

Pym supports guards preventing the King from gaining unrestricted control of the Tower.

Pym participates as the Commons temporarily meets in the City for protection.

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

Pym is named as a principal target in the King's treason accusation.

Pym avoids arrest when Charles I enters the House of Commons seeking five leading opponents of royal policy.

Pym reaches safety in the City before the King enters the Commons.

Pym evades arrest and takes refuge within the City of London.

Pym returns to Westminster with the other accused Commons members.

Pym returns to Parliament by river with the other accused members.

Pym supports Parliament's Militia Ordinance, which places county military forces under commanders approved by Parliament.

Pym supports an ordinance placing county militias under parliamentary nominees.

Pym supports legislation financing operations in Ireland through future land grants.

Pym supports demands for parliamentary control over ministers, religion and the armed forces.

Pym becomes a leading member of Parliament's Committee of Safety.

Pym joins the committee coordinating Parliament's armies and military supplies.

Pym supports Parliament's resolution to raise an army for defence of the kingdom.

Invites the Scots Commissioners to London & agrees an alliance

Invites the Scots Commissioners to London & agrees an alliance

Leads Parliament in taking control of taxation & in raising an unprecedented exise tax

The King's reply to the peace petition is read dismisivly in the Guildhall

The price of the alliance is a National Covenant & Solemn League signed by Pym

The price of the alliance is a National Covenant & Solemn League signed by Pym

The price of the alliance is a National Covenant & Solemn League signed by Pym

Pym helps secure the parliamentary alliance with Scotland that brings the Solemn League and Covenant into English war policy.

The price of the alliance is a National Covenant & Solemn League signed by Pym

Pym dies at Derby House in Westminster after serving as one of Parliament's most influential wartime political leaders.

Death of John Pym

Buried in Westminster Abbey

The only man in politics who has some control over the Scots. Death of John Pym. Allows the rise of the Independent Party