John Gell

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Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet

Sir John Gell, 1st Baronet (born June 22, 1593 in Hopton , † October 26, 1671 in London ) was an English politician and general.

John Gell was born in Hopton Hall in 1593 to Thomas Gell and Millicent Dingverell . His family were among the wealthiest in Derbyshire and made a living from raising sheep and participating in mines. His father died just a year after his birth and he grew up with his mother and her second husband, John Curzon, in Kedleston. In 1609 he married Elizabeth Willoughby, the daughter of Sir Percival Willoughby .

John Gell made a political career. In 1635 he became High Sheriff of Derbyshire and on January 29, 1642 he acquired the hereditary title of Baronet , of Hopton in the County of Derby . When the English Civil War broke out , Gell intervened on the side of the Roundheads in the fighting. As Supreme Commander in charge of the defense of Derbyshire, he led the parliamentary troops to victory at the Battle of Hopton Heath in 1643. In October 1644 his wife died and he married the widow of Sir John Stanhope . Gell's troops were feared by the civilian population as they plundered the counties. The domineering Gell came into conflict with Parliament and was overthrown. His attempt to buy himself free from Charles I with 300 pounds in order to be able to switch from the Roundheads to the Royalists without consequences , failed. He was charged with treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1650 . In 1660 he was pardoned by Charles II and lived in London until his death.

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Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Baronetage: Gell of Hopton, Derby at Leigh Rayment's Peerage
predecessor title successor
New title created Baronet, of Hopton
1642-1671 		John Gell
personal data
SURNAME Gell, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Gell, Sir John, 1st Baronet
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English general and politician
DATE OF BIRTH June 22, 1593
PLACE OF BIRTH Hopton
DATE OF DEATH October 26, 1671
Place of death London