John Strangways

Who was John Strangways?

Sir John Strangways was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1614 and 1666. He supported the Royalist side in the English Civil War

Strangways was a member of the Strangways family of Melbury in Somerset. He was appointed Sheriff of Dorset for 1612 and in 1614 elected Member of Parliament for Dorset. He was re-elected MP for Dorset in 1621 and 1624. In 1625 he was elected MP for Weymouth and Melcombe Regis and was re-elected MP for Weymouth in 1626. He was elected MP for Dorset again in 1628 and sat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.

In April 1640, Strangways was re-elected MP for Weymouth in the Short Parliament and was re-elected for the Long Parliament in November 1640. He supported the King's cause with great vigour and was disabled form sitting in parliament in September 1642. In 1645 he was captured at Sherborne Castle and was committed to the Tower of London. He was allowed to compound for his liberty, and offered £7000 which was refused. In 1648 he was released from imprisonment and his son Giles remained as an hostage until his fine was paid.