John Arundell

Who was John Arundell?

John Arundell of Trerice was a Cornish politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1640 to 1644. He supported the Royalist cause during the English Civil War.

Arundell was the eldest son of Sir John Arundell of Trerice and his wife Mary Cary, daughter of George Cary of Clovelly. His father was head of one of Cornwall's leading families and a member of most of the Parliaments between 1597 and 1640.

In November 1640, Arundell was elected Member of Parliament for Bodmin in the Long Parliament. He was one of those who voted against the attainder of Strafford. He joined the King's parliament at Oxford and on 22 January 1644 he was disabled from sitting at Westminster"for deserting the service of the house, being in the king's quarters, and adhering that party". His brother Richard, who was Member for Lostwithiel was also disabled.

Arundell joined the King's forces at Boconnoc in 1644 and fought gallantly for King Charles in the Cornish campaign. He continued to live at Lanherne until his death in 1701.