Roger Twysden

August 21, 1597 (age 74)

He was knighted in 1620 and served in Parliament in 1625 and 1626. At the outbreak of the Civil War between Charles I and Parliament in 1642, he participated in the writing of a petition stating grievances against the king, Parliament, and the ecclesiastical authorities. He was imprisoned from July to September of that year for antiparliamentary activities. In June 1643 he attempted to escape to France but was recognized and again imprisoned. During his detention he wrote The Laws of Henry I (1645) and began a study of parliamentary history, completed in 1655 as Certaine Considerations upon the Government of England, his major work and one of the first treatises dealing with the historical roots of English constitutional law and history. Released after 1647, he continued both his research of ancient records in London and his petitioning of Parliament on various issues throughout the 1650s. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, he remained active in public affairs until shortly before his death. In 1652 Twysden also wrote Historiae Anglicanae Scriptores X, a compilation of 10 early English chronicles and histories that is a valuable source of medieval material. Twysden died on 27 June 1672 and was buried at Peckham. Memorials to the Twysden family are to be found in St Michael's church, East Peckham.

Roger Twysden

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antiquary historian politician nobleman

Background

Roger Twysden was born on August 21, 1597.

Education

Roger Twysden was educated at St Paul's School, London, and then at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He was the son of Sir William Twysden, 1st Baronet and his wife Anne Finch, daughter of Sir Moyle Finch, 1st Baronet. His father was a courtier and scholar who shared in some of the voyages against Spain in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and was well known at the court of King James I becoming one of the first baronets.

Career

He was knighted in 1620 and served in Parliament in 1625 and 1626. At the outbreak of the Civil War between Charles I and Parliament in 1642, he participated in the writing of a petition stating grievances against the king, Parliament, and the ecclesiastical authorities. He was imprisoned from July to September of that year for antiparliamentary activities. In June 1643 he attempted to escape to France but was recognized and again imprisoned. During his detention he wrote The Laws of Henry I (1645) and began a study of parliamentary history, completed in 1655 as Certaine Considerations upon the Government of England, his major work and one of the first treatises dealing with the historical roots of English constitutional law and history. Released after 1647, he continued both his research of ancient records in London and his petitioning of Parliament on various issues throughout the 1650s. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, he remained active in public affairs until shortly before his death. In 1652 Twysden also wrote Historiae Anglicanae Scriptores X, a compilation of 10 early English chronicles and histories that is a valuable source of medieval material.

Twysden died on 27 June 1672 and was buried at Peckham. Memorials to the Twysden family are to be found in St Michael's church, East Peckham.

Achievements

Twysden's claim to notice rests on three works: The Commoners Liberty (1648), Historiae Anglicanae Scriptores Decem (1652), a pioneering work of English medieval history and An Historical Vindication of the Church of England (1657).

Connections

Twysden married Isabella Saunders who was a diarist and his mother's lady-in-waiting. Their son, William, succeeded to the baronetcy on Twysden's death.

Father:: Sir William Twysden
Mother:: Anne Finch
Wife:: Isabella Saunders

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Roger Twysden

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