Hampden

John, an English soldier and statesman. He was a native of Oxfordshire and was educated at Oxford University. For many years he led the life of a country gentleman. He was related to Oliver Cromwell. During troublous times he and Cromwell contemplated migrating with other Puritans to New England. He was a member of Parliament when the contest between that body and Charles I broke out. He was foremost in resisting the king's demand for ship money. Though defeated in the courts, whither he had carried the question, he became a popular hero, and was known as the patriot Hampden. He was one of the five members whom the king attempted to arrest in the House of Commons. When hostilities actually commenced Hampden took command of a regiment of cavalry, serving under the Earl of Essex. He received a wound in a skirmish with Prince Rupert and died before the result of the great English civil war was known. See Puritan