John Pym MP,JP
John Pym,c. 1640
Committee of Safety
In office July 1642 – December 1643
Monarch	Charles I
Member of Parliament forTavistock 1624; 1625; 1626; 1628; 1640
In office November 1640 – December 1643  †
Member of Parliament forCalne
In office 1621–1622
Receiver-GeneralExchequer, Glos., Hants and Wilts.
In office 1606–1639
Personal details
Born	(1584-05-20)20 May 1584 London, England
Died	8 December 1643(1643-12-08) (aged 59) London, England
Cause of death	Cancer
Resting place	Westminster Abbey (initially); St Margaret's (now)
Spouse	Anne Hooker or Hooke (1604–1620)
Children	7, includingCharles
Parent(s)	Alexander Pym (1547–1585) Philippa Colles
Relatives	Francis Rous (stepbrother) Anthony Nicholl (nephew)
Alma mater	Pembroke College, Oxford
Occupation	Lawyer, politician and businessman
Movement	Parliamentarians

John Pym (20 May 1584 – 8 December 1643) was an English politician and administrator who played a major role in establishing what would become the modernEnglish Parliamentary system. One of theFive Members whose attempted arrest in January 1642 was a major step in sparking theFirst English Civil War, his use of procedure to outmanoeuvre opponents was unusual for the period. Though this meant he was respected by contemporaries rather than admired, in 1895 historianGoldwin Smith described him as "the greatest member of Parliament that ever lived".^[1]

Pym's father died when he was seven months old, and he was raised by his stepfather SirAnthony Rous, from whom he inherited hisPuritan views and deep opposition to thereforms of ArchbishopWilliam Laud. He was also a leading member of theProvidence Island Company, which attempted to establish a Puritan colony in Central America.

Described as 'a true revolutionary', he led the opposition to arbitrary rule first underJames I, thenCharles I. His leadership in the early stages of the war was essential to the Parliamentarian cause, particularly his role in negotiating theSolemn League and Covenant with the ScotsCovenanters; his death from cancer in December 1643 was considered a major blow.^[2]

Originally buried inWestminster Abbey,^[3] after theStuart Restoration in 1660, his body was dumped in a pit at nearbySt Margaret's, Westminster along with those of other Parliamentary leaders.^[4] Though his reputation later suffered in comparison to less complex figures likeJohn Hampden andViscount Falkland, he is now viewed as an astute politician and effective speaker. Many of his ideas were adopted byPatriots during the American Revolution and 19th-centuryAmerican liberals.^[5]

His father,Alexander Pym (1547–1585), was a member of the minor gentry, from Brymore, Somerset. He was a successful lawyer in London, where John was born in 1584. Alexander died seven months later and his mother, Philippa Colles (died 1620), married a wealthy Cornish landowner, SirAnthony Rous. A close friend andexecutor of SirFrancis Drake, Sir Anthony instilled in his stepson a strong dislike ofSpain, a zealous belief inPuritanism, and opposition to both theCatholic Church, and the rival Protestant theology ofArminianism.^[6]

The Rous were a large and close-knit family, often wedding relatives and friends. In May 1604, Pym married Anne Hooke, a daughter of Barbara Rous and John Hooke, and aunt of the scientistRobert Hooke. Before her death in 1620, they had seven children, of whom four survived into adulthood; Philippa (1604–1654),Charles (1615–1671), Dorothy (1617–1661), and Catherine.^[7]

Pym was educated atPembroke College, Oxford, then known as Broadgates and famous for 'advanced Protestantism'.^[8] Since legal knowledge was considered part of an education, he subsequently attended theMiddle Temple in 1602; while he does not appear to have formally graduated from either, he made a number of lifelong friends, the most important of which beingWilliam Whitaker.^[9]

In June 1605, he was appointed collector of taxes for theExchequer inHampshire,Gloucestershire, andWiltshire; this gave him a broader range of connections than many contemporaries, who were often confined to family or county networks. Whitaker's father had beenMember of Parliament forWestbury, Wiltshire, and in 1621, Pym was elected for the nearby seat ofCalne.^[10]

Pym's diary shows he viewed Parliamentary legislation as a whole, not just issues of interest to himself; combined with an ability to explain them clearly, it led to his appointment to numerous committees. Since direct criticism of the king was considered treason, the only way to express opposition was by attacking his advisors, using the process ofimpeachment. Pym argued it was for theCommons to decide guilt or innocence, leaving theLords only to determine the penalty; this would become significant in his future Parliamentary career.^[10]

Even in an era when it was common, he was notable for his anti-Catholicism, and opposition to allegedCatholic practices in the Church of England. One reason for this was the close links in the 17th-century between religion and politics, with alterations in one viewed as implying alterations in the other. Many contemporaries fought in theThirty Years' War and were concerned at the apparent failure ofJames to defend hisown son-in-law andProtestant Europe as a whole.^[11]

Following the dissolution of Parliament in 1621, Pym was arrested, and brought before thePrivy Council, but released in August 1622. In 1624, he was elected forTavistock, a seat controlled byEarl of Bedford, which he retained for the rest of his career.^[10] In 1626, he led an attempt to impeach theDuke of Buckingham, an action which led to Parliament being dissolved. Only Buckingham's assassination in August 1628 prevented a second attempt, while Pym supported the presentation of thePetition of Right toCharles I in 1628.^[10]

Pym, his stepbrotherFrancis Rous, andJohn Hampden, also led the Parliamentary attack onRoger Maynwaring andRobert Sibthorpe, two clergymen who publishedsermons supporting the Caroline precepts of thedivine right of kings, andpassive obedience. Though censured by Parliament for preaching against the established English constitution, Charles pardoned them, and dissolved Parliament, initiating the period ofPersonal Rule that continued until 1640.^[12]

Pym became treasurer of theProvidence Island Company in 1630, a role that increasingly consumed his time, and he relinquished his Exchequer position in 1639. Participation in the colonial movement was common among Puritan leaders, while company meetings later provided cover for co-ordinating political opposition. Many of these became leaders of the Parliamentary opposition in 1642, among them Hampden, Rous, Henry Darley,Lord Saye,William Waller, andLord Brooke.^[13]

Following defeat in the first of theBishops Wars, Charles recalled Parliament in April 1640. When theShort Parliament refused to vote him taxes without political concessions, he dissolved it after only three weeks. When theTreaty of Ripon imposed by the Scots after a second defeat forced him to hold fresh elections in November, Pym became the unofficial leader of the opposition.^[14]

Historians likeTim Harris argue that, with the exception of a few extremists, by 1640 there was general consensus attempts to rule without Parliament had gone too far. This changed after theGrand Remonstrance in November 1641, whenconstitutional monarchists like Clarendon switched sides, arguing Parliament now wanted too much.^[15]

Where Pym differed from Clarendon, and many of his own colleagues, was recognising Charles would not keep commitments he felt had been forced from him. Even during negotiations with Parliament, he andHenrietta Maria openly told foreign ambassadors any concessions were temporary, and would be retrieved by force if needed. These suspicions increased afterOctober 1641, when Irish Catholic rebels claimed his approval for their actions. Many believed them, given previous attempts by Charles to use Irish troops against the Scots, and his initial refusal to condemn the rebellion.^[16]

However, Pym was hampered by the fact Charles was essential to a stable government and society. Regardless of religion or political belief, in 1642 the vast majority believed a 'well-ordered' monarchy was divinely mandated; where they disagreed was what 'well-ordered' meant, and who held ultimate authority in clerical affairs.Royalists generally supported aChurch of England governed bybishops, appointed by, and answerable to, the king;Parliamentarians believed he was answerable to the leaders of the church, appointed by their congregations.^[17]

Puritan was a term for anyone who wanted to reform, or 'purify', the Church of England, and contained many different sects.Presbyterians were the most prominent, and included leaders like Pym andJohn Hampden, but there were many others, such asCongregationalists, often grouped together asIndependents. Close links between religion and politics added further complexity; one reason for opposition to bishops was their presence in theHouse of Lords, where they often blocked Parliamentary legislation. Their removal by theClergy Act 1640 was a major step along the road to war.^[18]

Most Presbyterians were political conservatives, who believed in a limited electorate, and wanted to keep the Church of England, but as a reformed, Presbyterian body, similar to theChurch of Scotland. In general, England was a structured, socially conservative, and largely peaceful society, while the devastation caused by the Thirty Years' War meant many wanted to avoid conflict at any cost. Pym was one of the few who believed only military defeat would force Charles into agreeing meaningful reforms.^[19]

Shortly after theLong Parliament assembled, it was presented with theRoot and Branch petition; signed by 15,000 Londoners, it demanded England follow the Scots, and expel bishops.^[20] This reflected widespread concerns about 'Catholic practices', orArminianism in the Church of England, given weight by Charles' apparent willingness to make war on the Protestant Scots, but not assist his nephewCharles Louis regain hishereditary lands.^[a] Many feared Charles was about to sign an alliance with Spain, a view shared by experienced diplomatic observers likeVenice, and even France.^[21]

This meant ending Charles' arbitrary rule was not only important for England, but the Protestant cause in general. Since respect for the institution of monarchy prevented direct attacks on Charles, the traditional route was to prosecute his 'evil counsellors.' Doing so made it clear that although the king was above the law, his subordinates were not, and he could not protect them; the intention was to make others think twice about their actions. ArchbishopWilliam Laud was impeached in December 1640 and held in theTower of London until his execution in 1645;Strafford, formerLord Deputy of Ireland and organiser of the 1640 Bishops War, wasattainted and executed in May 1641.^[10]

The Commons also passed a series of constitutional reforms, including theTriennial Acts, abolition of theStar Chamber, and an end to levying taxes without Parliament's consent. Voting as a block, the bishops ensured all these were rejected by the Lords.^[22] In June 1641, Pym secured passage of the Clergy Act in the Commons; one of its key provisions was to remove bishops from the Lords, which therefore rejected it. The growing political tension was brought to head in October with the outbreak of theIrish Rebellion. both Charles and Parliament supported raising troops to suppress it, but neither trusted the other with their control, fearing any army would be used against them first.^[23]

Pym helped draft theGrand Remonstrance, presented to Charles on 1 December 1641; unrest culminated in 23 to 29 December with widespread riots inWestminster, led by the London apprentices. Suggestions Pym and other Parliamentary leaders helped organise these have not been proved, but as a result, bishops stopped attending the Lords.^[24] On 30 December,John Williams,Archbishop of York and eleven other bishops, signed a complaint, disputing the legality of any laws passed by the Lords during their exclusion. Viewed by the Commons as inviting Charles to dissolve Parliament, all twelve were imprisoned for treason.^[25]

In response to the growing unrest, on 4 January Charles made an unsuccessful attempt to arrest theFive Members, one of whom was Pym. Having failed to do so, he left London accompanied by manyRoyalist MPs and his supporters in the Lords, a major tactical mistake as it gave the opposition majorities in both houses.^[26] When theFirst English Civil War began in August, Pym headed theCommittee of Safety; his reputation for integrity and ability to keep a diverse coalition of interests together was crucial to surviving the first 18 months of the conflict.^[27]

By early August 1643, a series of Royalist victories combined with the death of the popularJohn Hampden inJune meant the Parliamentarian cause seemed close to collapse. At this crucial point, it was saved by Pym's leadership and determination, which led to a renewed commitment to win the war.^[28] He created the foundations of victory by ensuring Parliament had sufficient financial and military resources, one of his last acts being to negotiate theSolemn League and Covenant that secured Scottish support.^[29] Amidst the escalating tensions, one particular step Pym took played a major role in consolidating Parliament's authority. He orchestrated the expulsion ofHenry Marten, a fellow Parliamentarian known for his radical views and outspoken criticism of the monarchy. Marten had publicly advocated for the deposition of King Charles I, a stance deemed too extreme by many in Parliament. Pym seized upon this opportunity to remove Marten, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining a more moderate and unified Parliamentarian front. HistorianDavid Como believes this maneuver underscores Pym's political acumen and his influence within Parliament during this critical period.^[30]

He died, probably of cancer, at Derby House on 8 December 1643; Parliament agreed to pay off the debts he incurred as a result of neglecting his private business interests, although they were still being disputed in 1665.^[2] Buried inWestminster Abbey, his remains were exhumed after theStuart Restoration in 1660 and re-buried in a common pit atSt Margaret's, Westminster.^[4]

His chief opponent, theEarl of Clarendon, a senior advisor to Charles during theFirst English Civil War, later wrote; 'he had a very comely and grave way of expressing himself...and understood the temper and affections of the kingdom as well as any man’.^[31] Pym's reputation suffered in comparison to less complex figures like Hampden andViscount Falkland, especially during theVictorian era which romanticised the Royalist cause. One exception was the historianGoldwin Smith, who described him as "the greatest member of Parliament that ever lived".^[1] He is now generally viewed as an astute politician who laid the foundations of modern Parliamentary democracy and effective speaker, whose ideas and language were adapted byPatriots during the American Revolution and19th century American liberals.^[5]

• Clarendon, Earl of (1704).The History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England; Volume III (2019 ed.). Wentworth Press.ISBN 978-0469445765.
• Como, David (2018).Radical Parliamentarians and the English Civil War. Oxford University Press.ISBN 9780191017704.
• Duinen, Jared, van (2007).The Nature of Puritan Opposition in 1630s England in "Prosopography Approaches" and Applications: A Handbook. University of Oxford Linacre College Unit for Prosopographical Research.ISBN 978-1900934121.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
• Ferris, John; Hunneyball, Paul (2010).PYM, John (1584-1643), of Westminster, Brymore, Som., Whitchurch and Wherwell, Hants; later of Holborn, Mdx. and Fawsley, Northants in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1604–1629. CUP.ISBN 978-1107002258.
• Harris, Tim (2014).Rebellion: Britain's First Stuart Kings, 1567-1642. OUP.ISBN 978-0199209002.
• Hutton, Ronald (2003).The Royalist War Effort 1642-1646. Routledge.ISBN 9780415305402.
• Jessup, Frank W. (2013).Background to the English Civil War: The Commonwealth and International Library: History Division. Elsevier.ISBN 9781483181073.
• Johnson, David (2012).Parliament in crisis; the disintegration of the Parliamentarian war effort during the summer of 1643(PDF) (PHD). York University.
• Kuypers, Jim; Althouse, Mathew (2009). "John Pym, Ideographs, and the Rhetoric of Opposition to the English Crown".Rhetoric Review.28 (3):225–245.doi:10.1080/07350190902958677.JSTOR 25655957.S2CID 144891577.
• Little, Patrick (2008).Oliver Cromwell: New Perspectives. Palgrave Macmillan.ISBN 9781137018854.
• MacDonald, William W (1969). "John Pym: Parliamentarian".Historical Magazine of the Protestant Episcopal Church.38 (1).
• Macleod, Donald (Autumn 2009)."The influence of Calvinism on politics"(PDF).Theology in Scotland.XVI (2).
• Manganiello, Stephen (2004).The Concise Encyclopedia of the Revolutions and Wars of England, Scotland, and Ireland, 1639–1660. Scarecrow Press.ISBN 978-0810851009.
• McGee, Sears J (2004). "Francis Rous and "scabby or itchy children": The Problem of Toleration in 1645".Huntington Library Quarterly.67 (3):401–422.JSTOR 10.1525/hlq.2004.67.3.401.
• Plant."John Pym". British Civil Wars Project. Retrieved16 February 2021.
• Rees, John (2016).The Leveller Revolution. Verso.ISBN 978-1784783907.
• Royle, Trevor (2004).Civil War: The Wars of the Three Kingdoms 1638–1660 (2006 ed.). Abacus.ISBN 978-0-349-11564-1.
• Russell, Conrad (1990).Unrevolutionary England, 1603-1642. Bloomsbury.ISBN 9780826425669.
• Russell, Conrad (2009). "Pym, John".Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/22926. (Subscription orUK public library membership required.)
• Smith, Steven (1979). "Almost Revolutionaries: The London Apprentices during the Civil Wars".Huntington Library Quarterly.42 (4):313–328.doi:10.2307/3817210.JSTOR 3817210.
• Stanley, Arthur P (1882).Historical Memorials of Westminster Abbey. John Murray.
• Wedgwood, CV (1958).The King's War, 1641–1647 (2001 ed.). Penguin Classics.ISBN 978-0141390727.
• Wedgwood, CV (1955).The King's Peace, 1637-1641 (1983 ed.). Penguin Classics.ISBN 978-0140069907.

• Glow, Lotte (1964)."Pym and Parliament: The Methods of Moderation".Journal of Modern History.36 (4):373–397.doi:10.1086/239490.JSTOR 1875246.S2CID 153405066.
• Hexter, Jack H (1974).The Reign of King Pym. Harvard UP.ISBN 978-0674754010.
• MacDonald, William W (1981).The making of an English revolutionary: the early parliamentary career of John Pym. Fairleigh Dickinson.ISBN 978-0838630181.
• Scott, David (2003). "The Outbreak of the English Civil War: August 1642 – September 1643".Politics and War in the Three Stuart Kingdoms, 1637–49. Palgrave.ISBN 978-0333658734.
• Yorke, Philip Chesney (1911)."Pym, John" . InChisholm, Hugh (ed.).Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 22 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 680–682.

• Lay members of the Westminster Assembly
• Alumni of Broadgates Hall, Oxford
• People from Sedgemoor (district)
• Roundheads
• Five Members
• 1584 births
• 1643 deaths
• Members of the Middle Temple
• Burials at St Margaret's, Westminster
• English MPs 1621–1622
• English MPs 1624–1625
• English MPs 1625
• English MPs 1626
• English MPs 1628–1629
• English MPs 1640 (April)
• English MPs 1640–1648
• Members of the Parliament of England for Tavistock

• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
• Use dmy dates from December 2024
• Use British English from March 2020
• CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list
• Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the ODNB
• Pages using cite ODNB with id parameter
• Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference