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{{Short description|Speaker of the House of Commons (1591–1662)}}
{{for|the member of parliament for Wallingford, and for Cricklade|William Lenthall (died 1702)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name             = William Lenthall
|image            = Image:WilliamLenthall.jpg
|office           = [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]
|monarch          = ([[Interregnum (1649–1660)|Interregnum]])
|term_start       = 26 December 1659{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end         = 16 March 1660{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor      = William Say (temporary)
|successor        = [[Sir Harbottle Grimston, 2nd Baronet|Sir Harbottle Grimston]]

|monarch1         = ([[Interregnum (1649–1660)|Interregnum]])
|term_start1      = 7 May 1659{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end1        = 13 October 1659{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor1     = [[Thomas Bampfylde]]
|successor1       = William Say <br /> (temporary during Lenthall's illness)

|monarch2         = ([[Interregnum (1649–1660)|Interregnum]])
|term_start2      = 4 September 1654{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end2        = 22 January 1655{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor2     = [[Francis Rous|The Rev. Francis Rous]]
|successor2       = [[Thomas Widdrington|Sir Thomas Widdrington]]

|monarch3         = [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] / ([[Interregnum (1649–1660)|Interregnum]])
|term_start3      = 6 August 1647{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end3        = 20 April 1653{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor3     = [[Henry Pelham (Speaker)|Henry Pelham]] (temporary)
|successor3       = [[Francis Rous|The Rev. Francis Rous]]
|monarch4         = [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]
|term_start4      = 3 November 1640{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end4        = 30 July 1647{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor4     = [[John Glanville|Sir John Glanville]]
|successor4       = [[Henry Pelham (Speaker)|Henry Pelham]]<br />(temporary, during Lenthall's abandonment of the Speakership)

|office5          = [[Master of the Rolls]]
|monarch5         = [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] / ([[Interregnum (1649–1660)|Interregnum]])
|term_start5      = 1643{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end5        = 1660{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor5     =
|successor5       =

|office6          = [[Lord Chancellor|Commissioner of the Great Seal]]
|monarch6         = [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]
|term_start6      = 1646{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end6        = 1648{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor6     =
|successor6       =

|office7          = [[Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]]
|monarch7         = [[Charles I of England|Charles I]]
|term_start7      = 1645{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|term_end7        = 1648{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|predecessor7     =
|successor7       =

|birth_date       = 1591{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|birth_place      = [[Henley on Thames]], [[Oxfordshire]]
|death_date       = 3 September 1662{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|spouse           = Elizabeth Evans, by 1619{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|children         = at least 2 sons and 2 daughters{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}}
|education        = [[Merton College, Oxford#St Alban Hall|St Alban Hall]] [[University of Oxford]],<br /> [[Lincoln's Inn]]
}}
'''William Lenthall''' (1591–1662) was an English politician of the [[English Civil War|Civil War]] period. He served as [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]] for a period of almost twenty years, both before and after the execution of [[Charles I of England|King Charles I]].

He is best remembered for his defiance of the king on 4 January 1642 when Charles entered the chamber of the House of Commons, supported by 400 armed men, in an attempt to seize [[Five Members|five members]] whom he accused of [[treason]]. When Charles asked Lenthall where the five were, Lenthall famously replied "I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this House is pleased to direct me". It was the first time in English history that a speaker of the House of Commons had declared his allegiance to the liberty of parliament rather than the will of the monarch.

==Early life==
Lenthall was born in [[Henley-on-Thames]], [[Oxfordshire]],<ref>{{NHLE |num=1218864 |desc=Speaker's House |grade=II |access-date=6 July 2018}}</ref> the second son of William Lenthall (died 1596) and Frances Southwell.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} His ancestors had migrated from [[Herefordshire]] to [[Oxfordshire]] in the 15th century. The family was [[recusancy|recusant]] under [[Queen Elizabeth I]], but this branch became [[Protestant]] after the early death of Lenthall's father in 1596. Lenthall's mother, Frances (sister of the [[Jesuit]] priest and poet [[Robert Southwell (priest)|Robert Southwell]]),{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} conformed to the established Church.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} 

Lenthall was educated at [[Lord Williams's School]] in [[Thame]]. He matriculated at [[St Alban Hall, Oxford]] in 1607 but left in 1609 without taking a degree. He moved to [[Lincoln's Inn]] and was [[Call to the bar|called to the bar]] in 1616, becoming a [[bencher]] of the inn in 1633.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} He built up a successful legal practice, becoming [[Recorder (judge)|recorder]] of Woodstock in 1621, an Oxfordshire [[Magistrate (England and Wales)|magistrate]] in 1631, and recorder of Gloucester in 1638.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}}

==Early parliamentary career and Short Parliament==
{{main|Short Parliament}}

Lenthall's parliamentary career began in 1624 when he sat as [[Member of parliament|member]] for [[Woodstock (UK Parliament constituency)|New Woodstock]] in Oxfordshire.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} He failed to be re-elected in 1625,{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|pp=98–99}} but again represented the constituency during the 1640 [[Short Parliament]], on several occasions being called upon to chair grand committees of the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House]] on important subjects, including [[ship money]] and parliamentary grievances.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Family background and early career"}} The Short Parliament was dissolved on 5 May 1640 after only three weeks.

==Long Parliament==
{{main|Long Parliament}}
When [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] recalled parliament once more on 4 November 1640, at the start of what became known as the [[Long Parliament]], Lenthall again attended on behalf of New Woodstock.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}} Discovering that his preferred candidate for [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|speaker]], [[Thomas Gardiner (Royalist)|Sir Thomas Gardiner]], had failed to be returned, the king reviewed the list of available lawyers and approved Lenthall as the new speaker,{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}} a position that Lenthall was to hold for most of the next twenty years.

From the start, Lenthall had his critics. [[Henry Mildmay|Sir Henry Mildmay]] criticised him for letting too many speak during a debate, he was accused of partiality and procedural errors, and at one point was made to look foolish over a point of precedence.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}} However, the journal of [[Simonds d'Ewes|Sir Simonds d'Ewes]] (who was not generally supportive) suggests that in the opening months of the Long Parliament Lenthall was very much in control of proceedings.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}}

During 1640 and 1641 Lenthall proved himself a competent speaker. He introduced or codified a variety of procedural rules including the establishment of the duration of [[Parliamentary privilege in the United Kingdom|parliamentary privilege]] before and after sittings, the imposition of a penalty for speaking when another member had the floor, and the rule that while one piece of business was before the House a motion on another could not be made.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}}

By late 1641 Lenthall was finding the House's long sittings physically exhausting and he became increasingly desperate to be relieved of the speakership. He was also concerned about his personal finances, pleading the prospect of financial ruin if he were to continue. In the event, however, he was to remain in post, with only a few gaps, for many more years.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}}

===The king's attempted seizure of the Five Members===

[[File:Attempted Arrest of the Five members by Charles West Cope.jpg|thumb|Lenthall kneels to [[Charles I of England|Charles]] during the attempted arrest of the [[Five Members]]]]
{{main|Five Members}}
The relationship between the House of Commons and [[Charles I of England|the king]] became increasingly fraught during 1641, and at the end of the year Charles launched in the [[House of Lords]] accusations of [[treason]] against [[Five Members|five leading members]] of the Commons.{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}} The Commons sat to consider the allegations on 3 January 1642, and held them to be a breach of the House's [[Parliamentary privilege in the United Kingdom|privilege]].{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}} Provoked, and determined that the Five Members should not escape arrest, Charles decided to go to the House of Commons himself to apprehend them.{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}} The next day, 4 January, he arrived in person, accompanied by about 400 armed men, and entered the Commons chamber.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=213}} Addressing Lenthall, he said "Mr Speaker, I must for a time make bold with your chair". Lenthall vacated it. Calling first for one of the members, and then another, Charles was met with total silence. He asked the speaker where they were. Kneeling, Lenthall responded:{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}}

{{Blockquote
|text=May it please your majesty, I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this House is pleased to direct me whose servant I am here; and I humbly beg your majesty's pardon that I cannot give any other answer than this to what your majesty is pleased to demand of me.
}}
It was the first time that a speaker had declared his allegiance to the liberty of parliament rather than the will of the monarch.{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}}

The King paused. "'Tis no matter, I think my eyes are as good as another's". He studied the benches for 'a pretty while' then lamented "all my birds have flown". He left the chair and walked out 'in a more discontented and angry passion than he came in',{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}} followed by shouts of "Privilege! Privilege!" from the members.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=213}}

Charles's intended show of strength having failed, he left London less than a week later,{{sfn|Field|2011|pp=107–108}} and within months the country was plunged into civil war.

Lenthall's defence of his office was acknowledged by the House on 9 April, when it awarded him the sum of £6000.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}} In the last speech that Lenthall delivered to the king he talked of reconciliation, and invited Charles to rid himself of false counsellors.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The Long Parliament"}}

===Civil War===

[[File:William Lenthall.jpg|thumb|upright|Portrait of William Lenthall by [[Cornelis Janssens van Ceulen]]]]

Parliament continued to sit during the [[English Civil War|civil war]], acting now without the king's authority. Lenthall remained in the chair, supporting the Parliamentary cause but without much sympathy toward those diehard Protestants who were seeking radical ecclesiastical reform.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} In November 1642, he argued forcefully that the Commons should send peace proposals to the king.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}}

Lenthall's appointment to a series of high offices during this period brought some relief to his preoccupation with his personal finances. He had already called attention to the inadequacy of his salary and been granted a sum of £6,000,{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=429}} and during the 1640s he became [[Master of the Rolls]], a [[Lord Chancellor|commissioner of the Great Seal]], and [[Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster]].{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} Nevertheless, his worries continued especially since with the coming of war his estates near [[Oxford]] were at risk of confiscation by the [[Cavalier|royalists.]]{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} In June 1649 a labourer broke into his London house and stole £1900; he was later caught, tried, and sentenced to hang.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}}

By 1647 popular dissent was growing against the power of the [[New Model Army]] and the oppressions of local committees.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} The Long Parliament found itself increasingly unpopular, having imposed punitive taxation and chosen a course which had led to slaughter without any identifiable achievement.{{sfn|Field|2011|p=113}} On 26 July a mob invaded parliament to force it to agree to the army's [[Solemn Engagement]]{{sfn|Hibbert|1993|p=256}} (its refusal to disband until its grievances were met). The speaker was held in the chair by force{{sfn|Hibbert|1993|p=256}} and was compelled to put to the vote a resolution inviting the king to London.{{sfn|Hibbert|1993|p=256}}{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=429}}

On 31 July 1647 Lenthall published a personal declaration stating that votes in the Commons had been forced, rendering them void.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} He declared that he would take himself to the army, and would return only when free to resume his office.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} Along with fifty-seven other members, eight peers and the speaker of the Lords, he left London.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=379}} The fugitive members were well received by the soldiers, and they were invited by their commander [[Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron Fairfax of Cameron|Lord Fairfax]] to review 15,000 men on [[Hounslow Heath]] on 3 August.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=379}}  Fairfax's regiments encircled London the next day, and under his protection Lenthall and the other fugitives were escorted in triumph back to parliament.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=379}}  Lenthall was re-installed in the chair,{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} and all votes passed during his absence were subsequently annulled.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=379}}

Lenthall sympathized with the Independents in parliament, and was portrayed by royalist newspapers in 1648 as being their tool, plotting to manipulate the House in their interests.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} But he did not always act as expected, for example using his casting vote in favour of continuing negotiations with the king.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}}

===Pride's Purge===

{{main|Pride's Purge}}
On 6 December 1648, in an event known as [[Pride's Purge]], troops of the New Model Army under the command of [[Thomas Pride|Colonel Thomas Pride]] forcibly removed from parliament all those who were not Independents or Army supporters.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} Lenthall remained silent, and had probably been warned in advance.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} He was certainly consulted on several occasions by Independent leaders during the December crisis.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}}

=== Rump Parliament ===
{{Main|Rump Parliament}}
The Purge had reduced the Commons to a [[Rump Parliament|rump]] of a little over 200 [[Roundhead|hard-line members]].{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=213}} Lenthall remained in post during the debates and resolutions that led ultimately to [[Execution of Charles I|Charles's execution]] on 30 January 1649, though there is no evidence that he was otherwise active in the events leading up to the [[regicide]].{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="The speaker during the civil war"}} Later he claimed to have sent money to the king at Oxford, and to have helped with the care of the queen and the royal children. He also used his influence, when he thought it safe to do so, to help some royalists, using his casting vote at times to save the lives of some.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=429}}

In February 1649, the House voted to abolish both the [[House of Lords|House of Peers]] and the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarchy]],{{sfn|Field|2011|p=118}} and Lenthall found himself speaker of a new supreme [[Unicameralism|unicameral parliament]]. Though holding little real power, Lenthall as its representative became the leading citizen of England.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker during the Commonwealth"}} Although the first to take the engagement of loyalty to the new [[Commonwealth of England|Commonwealth]], he remained cautious and conservative in his approach to public affairs.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker during the Commonwealth"}}

In December 1651 [[Oliver Cromwell]] arranged a meeting at the speaker's house to discuss options for future government.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=521}} Lenthall, along with the other lawyers present, argued against the idea of a pure [[republic]] and in favour of a mixed constitution incorporating some role for a monarch.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=521}}

===Cromwell's dismissal of the Rump===
[[File:WilliamLenthall1652.jpg|thumb|upright|Lenthall in about 1652]]
The Rump Parliament had undertaken to dissolve itself "as soon as may possibly stand with the safety of the people".{{sfn|Field|2011|p=119}} But it failed to do so, and on 20 April 1653 it was forcibly dissolved by [[Oliver Cromwell|Cromwell]] and other leading army officers.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker during the Commonwealth"}} Supported by [[Thomas Harrison (soldier)|Colonel Thomas Harrison]] and 30 or 40 musketeers, Cromwell ordered the chamber to be cleared.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=530}} Lenthall once again rose to the occasion, announcing to Harrison that he would not come down unless he was pulled out.{{sfn|Hibbert|1993|p=305}} Harrison stretched out an arm and Lenthall submitted,{{sfn|Hibbert|1993|p=305}} doubtless realising the futility of resistance.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker during the Commonwealth"}}

Lenthall had become associated with the shortcomings of the Rump, and he found no place in the [[Barebone's Parliament|Nominated Assembly]] that sat between July and December 1653.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker during the Commonwealth"}}

=== First Protectorate Parliament ===
{{main|First Protectorate Parliament}}
The [[First Protectorate Parliament]] was summoned in 1654 by Cromwell, in his new role as [[Lord Protector]]. Lenthall was returned as member for [[Oxfordshire]], and on 4 September was once again confirmed as speaker.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker and Cromwellian office-holder"}}

=== Second Protectorate Parliament ===
{{main|Second Protectorate Parliament}}

In the [[Second Protectorate Parliament]], summoned by Cromwell on 17 September 1656,{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|pp=640–641}} Lenthall was again returned as member for Oxfordshire,{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker and Cromwellian office-holder"}} but this time was not selected as speaker.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=429}} He nevertheless took a full part in the proceedings, being the senior member on the committee charged with settling the new constitutional arrangements.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker and Cromwellian office-holder"}} He was supportive of the Protector and was rewarded—after some agitation on his part—with a seat in Cromwell's new [[Cromwell's Other House|Other House]], taking up his place as Lord Lenthall 10 December 1657.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker and Cromwellian office-holder"}}

===Revival of the Rump Parliament===
After the death of Oliver Cromwell on 3 September 1658 his son [[Richard Cromwell]] succeeded him as Lord Protector. The Protectorate rapidly collapsed, and on 6 May 1659 Lenthall was visited by senior army officers who asked him to help with the revival of the Rump Parliament, and to return as speaker.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} Lenthall was reluctant to give up his seat in the Other House{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=725}} and pleaded ill health, but when he was bypassed and parliament summoned without his aid he felt himself obliged to resume his role as speaker the following day.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}}

Lenthall now presided over a revived parliament of only 78 members,{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=727}} and in spite of his parallel role as head of the army, division between parliament and the army deepened.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} On 12 October 1659 the army surrounded and occupied the precincts of the House, and for a night and a day a stand-off with the parliamentary defenders ensued. Lenthall himself was denied access by the blockading soldiers, and had to turn back. To his remonstrance that he was their general, the soldiers replied that they would have known him as such had he marched before them on [[Battle of Winnington Bridge|Winnington Bridge]].{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=741}}

But the army leaders themselves were unclear whether their latest coup was intended to bring down the restored Rump or merely to bring it to terms.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|pp=741–742}} Lenthall began to manoeuvre away from the republicans, and in November was reported to have been in touch with [[George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle|General George Monck]]{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} who was actively working against factions within the army that opposed the Rump. The situation had completely changed by 24 December when Lenthall was approached at home and his permission sought, as head of the army, for troops to parade in [[Lincoln's Inn Fields]].{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=755}} Soldiers who had earlier refused to recognise Lenthall's authority now marched to his house to acclaim him with shouts and a volley of shots.{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|p=755}}

He arranged a sitting of the restored Rump on 26 December 1659 with only 42 members present,{{sfn|Woolrych|2002|pp=755–756}} but then absented himself from the House for ten days pleading [[gout]] (probably to avoid taking the oath abjuring the [[House of Stuart]], sought by the republicans in Parliament).{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} By February 1660, Lenthall was fully co-operating with Monck and had broken completely with the republicans.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}}

On 16 March 1660 The Rump Parliament voted to dissolve itself, bringing Lenthall's long period of speakerships to a close{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}} and clearing the way for Monck to organise fresh elections for the [[Convention Parliament (1660)|Convention Parliament]].{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} Lenthall was active in bringing about the Restoration, with his advice and service, but found himself out of favour.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=429}} Monck lobbied to have Lenthall elected for [[University of Oxford|Oxford University]], but without success.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}}

==The Restoration==
The [[Convention Parliament (1660)|new parliament]] met for the first time on 25 April 1660 and on 8 May proclaimed that [[Charles II of England|King Charles II]] had retrospectively been the lawful monarch since the execution of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] on 30 January 1649. Lenthall sent £3,000 to the new king, seeking to retain the Mastership of the Rolls, but was told it had been allocated elsewhere.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}}

Lenthall was at risk of being put on trial by the new regime for some of his acts during the [[Interregnum (England)|interregnum]], and he was strongly denounced by [[William Prynne]].{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} Ultimately, however, he was merely barred by the [[Indemnity and Oblivion Act|Act of Indemnity and Oblivion 1660]] from further public office for life.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} The act mentioned him by name as being exempt from its indemnity provisions if he ever again were to accept public office.<ref name="Indemnity">{{Cite book|chapter-url=http://www.british-history.ac.uk/statutes-realm/vol5/pp226-234|title=Statutes of the Realm|publisher=Great Britain Record Commission|editor-last=Raithby|editor-first=John|volume=5, 1628–80|at=XLII. Certain Persons accepting any Office, pp. 226–234|chapter=Charles II, 1660: An Act of Free and Generall Pardon Indemnity and Oblivion}}</ref>

On 12 October 1660 he gave evidence at the trial of the [[List of regicides of Charles I|regicide]] [[Thomas Scot]], swearing that Scot had spoken in parliament in favour of executing the king; an act that disgusted many in the light of his famous defence of parliamentary privilege in 1642.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}}

==Death==
Lenthall retired to [[Burford]], [[Oxfordshire]], where he died on 3 September 1662;{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}} he was buried at the church there.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} On his deathbed he made a confession: "I confess with Saul, I held their clothes whilst they murdered him, but herein I was not so criminal as Saul was, for God, thou knowest, I never consented to his death". He requested that his only epitaph should be ''Vermis sum'' ("I am a worm").{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} His only surviving son was the politician [[John Lenthall (politician)|John Lenthall]] (1624 or 1625 – 1681).{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=99}}

==Private life==
[[File:Burford Priory.jpg|thumb|Burford Priory]]

By 1619 Lenthall had married Elizabeth Evans (died April 1662),{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Collapse of the republic and the restoration of monarchy"}} daughter of Ambrose Evans of [[Loddington, Northamptonshire]],{{sfn|Thrush|Ferris|2010|p=98}} by his wife Lettice Symonds of [[Cley Next the Sea]], [[Norfolk]].

William Lenthall had two chief residences, [[Burford Priory]] in Oxfordshire (still standing) and Besselsleigh Manor in Berkshire (now Oxfordshire). In 1637, he had purchased Burford from [[Lucius Cary, 2nd Viscount Falkland|Lord Falkland]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.berkshirehistory.com/bios/wlenthall.html |last=Ford |first=David |title=William Lenthall (1591–1662) |work=Royal Berkshire History }}</ref> Lenthall was one of the overseers of the will of [[Lawrence Tanfield|Sir Lawrence Tanfield]], Lord Falkland's grandfather, and had married into Tanfield's second wife's family.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/tanfield-lawrence-1554-1625 |title= Tanfield, Lawrence (c. 1554–1625), of Burford, Oxon. |work= The History of Parliament |access-date= 25 March 2013 |archive-date= 10 January 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150110055427/http://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1558-1603/member/tanfield-lawrence-1554-1625 |url-status= dead }}</ref> The house remained in the Lenthall family until 1828.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Godfrey |first=Walter H. |year=1939 |title=Burford Priory |journal=Oxoniensia |volume=IV |publisher=[[Oxfordshire Architectural and Historical Society|Oxford Architectural and Historical Society]] |pages=71–88 |url= http://oxoniensia.org/volumes/1939/godfrey.pdf}}</ref>

Lenthall had an extensive [[Lenthall pictures|collection of paintings]], some being family portraits and some that may have been at Burford when he purchased it. He may also have acquired paintings from the [[Royal Collection|Royal collection]] following the execution of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.victoriacountyhistory.ac.uk/explore/sites/explore/files/explore_assets/2010/03/22/PRIORY_Lenthall_Pics.pdf |last=Cooper |first=Nicholas |work=Burford Priory |title=The Lenthall Pictures |date=24 May 2023 }}</ref> The collection was sold by the family in 1833.

==Character assessment==
Lenthall has always been a figure who has divided opinion. In his early career, opponents frequently targeted him for perceived personal shortcomings and weaknesses as speaker. However, the ''[[Dictionary of National Biography|Oxford Dictionary of National Biography]]'' contends that these criticisms do not stand up to scrutiny.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Assessment"}} His actions during this time demonstrate a clear commitment to upholding the authority of his office and contributing to parliamentary procedure.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Assessment"}}

On the other hand, his conservative outlook and adherence to tradition have been interpreted as evidence of a limited political vision.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Assessment"}} Allegations of self-serving corruption also surfaced repeatedly, casting a shadow over his reputation. While many of these accusations originated from those with grievances, and could be difficult to substantiate, they cannot be entirely dismissed.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Speaker and Cromwellian office-holder"}}{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Assessment"}}

Lenthall's enduring legacy is shaped by his resolute defiance of Charles I in January 1642.{{sfn|Roberts|2005|loc="Assessment"}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Lenthall, William|volume=16|pages=429–430}}
* {{Cite book | title=The Story of Parliament in the Palace of Westminster  |last= Field |first=John |publisher=James & James |year=2011 |location=London  |edition=2nd |isbn=9780907383871}}
* {{Cite book |title=Cavaliers and Roundheads: The English at War 1642–1649 |last=Hibbert |first=Christopher |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=1993 |isbn=0-246-13632-4}}
* {{cite ODNB |title=Lenthall, William, appointed Lord Lenthall under the protectorate|first= Stephen K. |last=Roberts|date=26 May 2005 |doi=10.1093/ref:odnb/16467}}
* {{Cite book |title=The House of Commons 1604–1629 |last1=Thrush |first1=Andrew |last2=Ferris |first2=John P. |publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-1-107-00223-4 |volume=V: Members K–Q}}
* {{Cite book |title=Britain in Revolution | url=https://archive.org/details/britaininrevolut00wool | url-access=registration |last=Woolrych |first=Austin |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |author-link=Austin Woolrych |year=2002 |isbn=0-19-927268-9}}
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{{succession box|title=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]|before=[[John Glanville]]|after=[[Henry Pelham (speaker)|Henry Pelham]]| years=1640–1647}}
{{succession box|title=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]|before=[[Henry Pelham (speaker)|Henry Pelham]]|after=[[Francis Rous|The Rev. Francis Rous]]| years=1647–1653}}
{{succession box|title=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]|before=[[Francis Rous|The Rev. Francis Rous]]|after=[[Thomas Widdrington|Sir Thomas Widdrington]]| years=1654–1655}}
{{succession box|title=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]|before=[[Thomas Bampfylde]]|after=[[Sir Harbottle Grimston, 2nd Baronet|Sir Harbottle Grimston]]| years=1659–1660}}
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{{House of Stuart Lord Chancellors}}
{{Masters of the Rolls}}
{{Speaker of the British House of Commons}}

{{Wikiquote}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lenthall, William}}
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