The Civil War and Sandridge

by Daniel Hill

In 1628-39, under Charles I, Parliament did not meet, as he dismissed Parliament from ruling. This gave Parliament effectively no authority to govern the country. Due to this, in order to pay for war and defence, Charles I forced through loans. Twelve Gentry of the region were summoned to Sandridge, all to pay a sum total of £170, with three of the men from Sandridge paying £10 each. This is a controversial move, and may well have led to the county being disgruntled, as Hertfordshire itself was predominantly parliamentarian. As a result, in 1642, there was a failed attempt from Royalists to take Hertford. The reason why the Parliamentarians were able to get such loyalty and mass of forces is because the Roundheads in Hertford were paid, and as such some switched sides to the Roundheads to get pay. Most people in Hertfordshire paid their taxes to the Roundheads, to pay for these wages, and kept their heads down to stay out of trouble. After the war, John Harper was vicar of the Parish of Sandridge when Charles I was executed, he resigned from his post following parliament sacking numerous priests. During the Royalist uprising, 500 Horsemen passed through Sandridge in retreat of the forces. Protestation returns in 1641, monarchy instilled in place, and all men over 18 had to pledge allegiance to the crown. 120 men of Sandridge gave the oath, however the male population was around triple that. Hearth Tax returned for 1663, lists 37 hearths in Sandridge, and as a result Sandridge paid £5.15.0 in taxes

Source: HALS Library, “Historic Sandridge Revisited” By Edward Giles and Richard William Thrale, Edited by Janet R Rose

This page was added on 19/07/2013.

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