John Trenchard (Secretary of State)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the Secretary of State. For the writer, see John Trenchard (writer).

Sir John Trenchard (30 March 1640 - 27 April 1695), English politician belonging to an old Dorset family. His father was Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton (1615-1671), and his grandfather was Sir Thomas Trenchard of Wolverton (1582-1657). His grandfather was knighted by James I in 1613.

Born at Lytchett Matravers, near Poole, and educated at New College, Oxford, John Trenchard entered parliament as member for Taunton in 1679. He associated himself with those who proposed to exclude the Duke of York from the throne, and attended some of the meetings held by these malcontents. It is possible he was concerned in the Rye House Plot. In fact, he was arrested at all of the events in July 1683, but no definite evidence was brought against him so he was released. When Monmouth landed in the west of England in June 1685, Trenchard fled from England, but was pardoned through the good offices of William Penn, and returned home two years later. Again he entered parliament, but he took no active part in the Revolution of 1688, although he managed to secure the good will of William III. He was knighted by the king, and made chief justice of Chester. In 1692, he was appointed Secretary of State. He and the government incurred much ridicule through their failure to prove the existence of a great Jacobite plot in Lancashire and Cheshire in which they had been led to believe.

Sir John died on 27 April 1695. His wife was Philippa (d. 1743), daughter of George Speke (d. 1690) of White Lackington, Somerset.

Preceded by The Earl of Nottingham	Secretary of State for the Northern Department 1693–1694	Succeeded by The Duke of Shrewsbury
	Secretary of State for the Southern Department 1693–1695	Succeeded by The Duke of Shrewsbury