Eleventh Generation

1152. Col. William STRODE¹¹² was born in 1589 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. He was buried in 1666 in Beminster, Dorset, England. He died on 20 Dec 1666 in Barrington Court, Somerset, England.¹³¹
Colonel William Strode of Shepton Mallet, who died 1666, aged 77, and was buried at Beminster, leaving behind him two families of his name, which now "live in the same county in very good fashion, one at Barrington, and another not far from it."

William followed commercial pursuits from which he acquired great wealth and reputation for integrity and honesty. In 1625 he purchased the estate of Barrington Court, in Somerset County, which had a great mansion house upon it. Then in a very short time, he became owner of many other estates - at Martlock, Glastonbury, Street, and other places in Somersetshire. In Richard Symond's diary, Symond states that "William Strode ... lived at Barrington -- 3 myle from Ilminister -- had another house at Street, and hath all the parsonages between this town and Barrington ... his wealth was obtained by being a factor in Spain and the inheritance he received from his father, William Strode, who was a clothier in Shepton-Mallet ..."


The Strodes served over a 200 year period as members of Parliament from Somerset County. William Strode was re-elected as a member of Parliament to represent Ilchester, County Somerset in 1640. Thus he served his county in one of the most momentous times in English history. The Long Parliament (1640-1653) had two William Strodes as members. This has caused much confusion. The similarities of names and principals for which both stood caused this William Strode of Barrington and the William Strode, "one of five members" impeached by Charles I, to be confused by historians, who should have known better. While William Strode of Barrington was in Parliament, having been returned there from the borough of Ilchester, and being a member of the Long Parliament of 1640, he could not have been one of the "five members" for the following reasons: William Strode, M.P. -- "The Member" -- died in 1645 and was buried in Henry VII's Chapel in Westminster Abbey. William Strode of Barrington did not die until 1666.

That there were two contemporary William Strodes, who were members of the Long Parliament, is clearly proven by the Calendar of State Papers,
"... Proclamation for the apprehension of William Strode of the County of Devon, who was accused of sedition ... was one of the representatives of the borough of Beer Alston in Devonshire." To compound confusion the fathers of these two Williams were also named William. William Strode, M.P. for Ilchester in the Long Parliament of 1640, was son of William Strode, clothier of Shepton-Mallet and he distinguished himself by opposition to the King's authority in Somersetshire. The State Papers abound with notices of him during this period, and he appears to have been a source of trouble and annoyance to the King, the Bishop, and the Sheriff. Both were heavily involved in the opposition to King Charles I as members of Parliament. This mistaken identity has caused much confusion and misinformation amongst Strode descendants in the U.S. Many American descendants have claimed descent from William of Devonshire, the "one of five members" impeached. In many cases the tradition has been perpetuated without documentation. We feel confident that William Strode of Barrington, Somersetshire is the correct ancestor to the line of Strodes being traced.

Charles I became king in 1625 when the country was in a troubled and disturbed state. During the first four years of his reign, he called three parliaments, with all of which he quarreled and dismissed. Thus, Charles reigned without a parliament in an arbitrary and oppressive manner for eleven years. In 1640 he was forced to call Parliament. William Strode (1589-1666, discussed above) was an elected member of this parliament from Ilchester, Somerset County. This Parliament is known as the Long Parliament because it was in session from 1640 to 1653. By 1640 confidence in the King had waned to low levels; he could not be trusted and the country was in danger of anarchy. During the debate, the King's friends in Parliament became known as Royalists or Cavaliers. The opposition led by Oliver Cromwell received its chief support from the merchants, shop keepers, small free holders and a whole body of non-conformists and puritan members of the Church of England. The opposition were known as Roundheads or Parliamentarians. The Royalists were largely the nobles, clergy, country gentlemen, Roman Catholics, and others who disliked puritan austerity.

The demands (19 propositions) of Parliament were such that the King would become a puppet. At this point (1642) Charles I chose to draw the sword and the situation reached its climax on the battlefield in a storm of violence usually witnessed only in civil or religious strife. This was a combination of both.
The Marquess of Hertford, heading up the Royalists' efforts headquartered in Wells, north of Shepton Mallet, issued warrants to several hundred of people requiring them to supply men and arms. The Deputy Lieutenant of the County retaliated by issuing warrants instructing the hundred to ignore the Marquess and to adhere to Parliament. The Deputy Lieutenant and committee announced a meeting to be held at Shepton Mallet on 1 August 1642 to take measures to preserve the peace. The Marquess at Wells instructed Sir Ralph Hopton, M.P., Royalist Thomas Smith, and Sir Fernando Gorges with 100 mounted Cavaliers to ride to Shepton Mallet and publish the Commission of Array. The following morning Colonel William Strode, hearing of Sir Ralph Hopton's intentions, rode from his manor house with his son and four servants, all but two of them well armed. They reached the marketplace in Shepton Mallet about the same time as Sir Ralph Hopton and his Cavaliers. Colonel Strode demanded to know the reason for the Cavaliers' visit and such a show of arms. Sir Ralph bid him to alight and hear the petition read. To which Col. Strode barked: "I came not to hear petitions, but to suppress insurrections", and considerably aroused, demanded they leave town. In reply, Sir Ralph laid hold of Col. Strode and arrested him on suspicion of treason. In the struggle that ensued, Sir Fernando Gorges struck Col. Strode with a halbert (similar to a pikestaff) knocking Col. Strode from his horse. A number of Cavaliers drew their swords and held their points toward his body. Seeing this, one of Col. Strode's servants drew a pistol and held it to Sir Ralph Hopton, and would have killed him but for a quick witted Sheptonian (a Mr. White) who snatched the pistol from him. Col. Strode thus arrested was handed over to the local constable. Sir Ralph started to read the Royalist Petition, and asked for supporters to come forward. After much mumbling and cursing from the large and rapidly growing crowd, only one man stepped forward, one Nicholas Dawton, which Col. Strode was asked to notice. To which he shouted: "This is of no surprise to me. For this man is but one of the incendiaries of the town, but we are of the County and of Parliament and I demand, therefore, sir, you quit the town." On this the constable was instructed to take Colonel Strode before the Marquess of Hertford at Wells. But shortly, a disturbance from the direction of Town Street caused a distraction. A single Cavalier came at full gallop and forced his way through the dense crowd to Sir Ralph Hopton's side and told him that many country folk were closing in on Shepton Mallet in support of Col. Strode. At this news Sir Ralph Hopton and his Cavaliers turned and rode in haste from Shepton Mallet, a much disillusioned and angry man. He and his followers, on retreat, were spreading violence and terror amongst those he met.

Following the departure of the Cavaliers, the poor constable became the center of abuse and was compelled to release Col. Strode or lose his life. Col. Strode, one of Shepton Mallet's most wealthy clothiers, was loved and respected by rich and poor alike. Learning of the meeting, the tradesmen, yeomen and peasants swarmed to his support. Before noon, without warrant or request, upwards of 2,000 people had joined Col. Strode's ranks. Scouts reported that many people coming to join Col. Strode were met by the Royalists and were beaten and wounded with ammunition and supplies taken from them. As a result of the cowardly attacks, charges and counter charges between the Parliamentarians' and the Royalists' forces occurred. In another attempt to read the Commission of Array, Lord Hertford left Wells for Shepton Mallet. He was met about half way by Col. Strode and one hundred fifty horsemen. After much debate, a treacherous assault was made on Col. Strode's regiment. At least a dozen were cut to pieces and many more injured. Despite the element of surprise, the Marquess was not able to stand it and turned tail to Wells.

The Marquess of Hertford wrote a long letter to the House of Lords 25 August 1642 of which a small portion said "...that William Strode and George Malliard had made great preparation of arms and ammunition in the towns' houses, and divers low persons had given out that such and such houses should be fired and the streets should run with blood."


From an original document, being a Parliamentary levey, signed by William Strode of Shepton Mallet and dated 26 Aug 1644 "Whereas, this county hath extraordinarily suffered in their persons, goods, houses, lands and estates by great and bloody cruelties, oppressions, extortions, and many other wicked invertures of papist cavaliers, and other enemies ... for the prevention of further mischief, and for the preservation of the true protestant religion ... and by the authority of Parliament, require and command you to raise within your hundred fiftie able men of body and to arme them with the best armes you have or can provide and bring them to this town..."


Later, at what became known as the Siege of Wells, the city found itself surrounded by Parliamentarian guns on the Bristol, Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet sides. Col. Strode had 2,000 men, ordinances, and a hundred and fifty horses. The Royalists evacuated the city. Following this the Royalists and Roundheads marched and counter marched throughout the unhappy land leaving bloodshed, violence and death in their wake. Both Royalists and Parliamentarians took their toll on Shepton Mallet, probably more from the latter, for Puritan fanaticism made sad havoc on many ecclesiastical buildings. Following the capture and execution of Charles I in 1649, the people of Shepton Mallet returned to manufacturing and to agriculture. The town returned with vigor to both work and leisure.


Col. William STRODE and Joan BARNARD were married in 1621 in Downside, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England.

1153. Joan BARNARD was born in 1607 in Downside, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. She died on 23 Aug 1649 in Barrington Court, Somerset, England. She was buried on 24 Aug 1649 in The Church, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. Children were:

	i.	William STRODE died on 19 Feb 1694/95. Married Elizabeth Hivett in 1656; had 1 son and 3 daughters.
	ii.	Edward STRODE was born on 22 Aug 1623 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. He died before 2 Apr 1629 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England. He was buried on 2 Apr 1629 in Shepton Mallet Parish Church, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England.
	iii.	John STRODE was born about 1627 in Barrington, Somerset, England. He died on 7 Feb 1705/6 in Odcombe, Somerset, England. He had two daughters.
320	iv.	Edward STRODE.
	v.	Elizabeth STRODE was born in 1635 in Barrington, Somerset, England. Married John Howe at Barrington on 20 Apr 1659.
	vi.	George STRODE was born on 9 Oct 1636 in Barrington, Somerset, England. Reportedly had 4 sons.
	vii.	Jane STRODE was born about 1640 in Barrington, Somerset, England. She died before 19 Aug 1699. Married John Wyndham in 1659 at Barrington. Her will was proved on 19 August 1699 at Dunraven Castle, Glamorgan, Wales.
	viii.	Johanna STRODE was born about 1642 in England. She died in 1677. Married Henry Hickman in 1667.
	ix.	Essex STRODE was born on 7 Nov 1646 in Barrington, Somerset, England. He was buried in Westminster, Middlesex, England. Married Mary Strode (daughter of Sir George, his cousin) after 1659 at London, England, and was buried at Westminster, Middlesex, England.
	x.	Mary STRODE was born about 1648 in England. She died about 1648 in England.
	xi.	Barnard STRODE was born on 20 Aug 1649 in Barrington, Somerset, England. He died about 1685.