Bradshaw, JOHN

Bradshaw, JOHN, regicide, was born near Stockport, of a good Cheshire family, in 1602, and in 1627 was called to the bar at Gray's Inn. 'He practised,' says his friend Milton, 'with singular success and reputation; still, he was little known when, on 13th January 1649, he was, in default of a more able lawyer, appointed president of the high court of justice for the trial of Charles I. On that solemn occasion his manners were as short as his speeches were lengthy. For reward he was made permanent president of the Council of State, and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with a grant of estates worth £2000 per annum. His 'stiff republicanism' embroiled him with Cromwell, who twice attempted to deprive him of his office of chief-justice of Chester; but there is no direct proof that he ever engaged in the Fifth Monarchy and other plots. After Oliver's death he was appointed a commissioner of the Great Seal; and his last public act was to protest against the violent seizure of Speaker Lenthall by the army. He died 22d November 1659; and his body was buried with pomp in Westminster Abbey, but after his posthumous attainder, it was disinterred and hung on a gibbet, with those of Cromwell and Ireton.