Summerset Fox

Summerset Fox was a Royalist who plead guilty to an charge of high treason, for his part in Gerard's conspiracy.

Biography

In May 1654 Fox, Peter Vowell, and John Gerard were arrested for plotting to overwhelm Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell's bodyguard, with a party of 30 mounted men, and to assassinate him as he travelled to Hampton Court. Fox's role was to recruit apprentices for the attempt. However, the government received intelligence of the plot and arrests were made.[1]

At their trial by the High Court of Justice sitting in Westminster Hall on 30 June 1654, Fox pleaded guilty.[1] He was one of only two men accused of treason ever to do so, the other being John Amery in 1945. Vowell and Gerard were found guilty and executed. Fox was transported to Barbados as he had confessed.[2] There is no record of him having survived beyond The Restoration.

References

  1. 1 2 Anonymous (2002) [1654]. "The Triall of Mr. John Gerhard, Mr. Peter Vowell, and Sommerset Fox, by the High court of Justice sitting in Westminster Hall on Friday 30 June, 1654." (Renascence ed.). University of Oregon.
  2. ↑ Mills, Jane (5 March 2011). "Cromwell Britain - Islington, London". Oliver Cromwell. Retrieved October 2013.

Further reading


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