Oliver St John Biography and Timeline

Election to Short Parliament

St John enters the Short Parliament after his prominent legal opposition to ship money.

Ship Money Debate

St John supports parliamentary opposition to taxation imposed without parliamentary approval.

Legal Case against Ship Money

St John explains the constitutional objections to ship money during parliamentary debate.

Appointment as Solicitor General

St John becomes Solicitor General while remaining aligned with parliamentary reformers.

Legal Defence of Triennial Act

St John defends the constitutional legality of requiring regular Parliaments.

Commons Ready to Prove Charges

The Commons declared that its managers were ready to prove the impeachment charges against Strafford.

Role range: 1640-1649

Legal Argument against Strafford

St John argues that Strafford's cumulative conduct constitutes treason against the kingdom.

Star Chamber Act Legal Case

St John supports the statutory case for abolishing Star Chamber.

Ship Money Legislation

St John supports the legal measure invalidating non-parliamentary ship money.

Alliance Parliament and Scotland

Helps form an alliance between Parliament & Scotland

Role range: 1642-1649

Committee of Both Kingdoms

Appointed Member of Committee of Both Kingdoms

Role range: 1642-1649

Committee of Both Kingdoms

Appointed Member of Committee of Both Kingdoms

New Model Army Legislation

St John supports Parliament's programme for reorganising its armies as the New Model Army is established.

Role range: 1642-1649