John Colepeper

Background

John Colepeper was the only son of Sir John Colepeper of Wigsell, Sussex.

Career

John Colepeper began his career inmilitary service abroad, and came first into public notice at home through his knowledge of country affairs, being summoned often before the council board to give evidence on such matters.

He opposed the London petition for the abolition of episcopacy, the project of religious union with the Scots, and the Root and Branch Bill, and on the 1st of September he moved a resolution in defence of the prayer-book.

He highly disapproved of the attempt upon the five members, which was made without his knowledge, but advised the enterprise against Hull.

On the 25th of August 1642 he appeared at the bar of the House of Commons to deliver the king's final proposals for peace, and was afterwards present at Edgehill, where he took part in Prince Rupert's charge and opposed the retreat of the king's forces from the battlefield.

In December he was made by Charles master of the rolls.

He strongly advocated the gaining over of the Scots by religious concessions, a policy supported by the queen and Mazarin, but opposed by Hyde and other leading royalists, and constantly urged this course upon the king, at the same time deprecating any yielding on the subject of the militia.

He promoted the mission of Sir John Berkeley in 1647 to secure an understanding between Charles and the army.

He continued after the execution of the king to press the acceptance on Charles II of the Scottish proposals.

By the treaty, agreed to between Cromwell and Mazarin, of August 1654, Colepeper was obliged to leave France, and he appears henceforth to have resided in Flanders.

He accompanied Charles II to the south of France in September 1659, at the time of the treaty of the Pyrenees.

At the Restoration he returned to England, but only survived a few weeks, dying on the 11th of June 1660.

Clarendon, with whom he was often on ill terms, speaks generally in his praise, and repels the charge of corruption levelled against him.

That he was gifted with considerable political foresight is shown by a remarkable letter written on the 20th of September 1658 on the death of Cromwell, in which he foretells with uncommon sagacity the future developments in the political situation, advises the royalists to remain inactive till the right moment and profit by the division of their opponents, and distinguishes Monck as the one person willing and capable ofeffecting the Restoration (Clarendon State Papers, iii.

412).

Achievements

• Several contemporary writers agree in testifying to Colepeper's great debating powers and to his resources as an adviser, but complain of his want of stability and of his uncertain temper.

Connections

Colepeper was twice married: first to Philippa, by whom he had one son, who died young, and a daughter. And second to Judith.

Father:

Thomas Culpeper of Wigsell

Mother:

Anne Slaney

Spouse:

Judith

Spouse:

Philippa