John Bridges

Who is John Bridges?

John Bridges was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1654 and 1656. He fought in the Parliamentarian army in the English Civil War.

Bridges was the eldest son of John Bridges of Alcester, Warwickshire and Hackney, barrister at law, and his wife Elizabeth Holyoake. His great grandfather John Bridges was of an Irish family and settled at South Littleton, Worcestershire in 1558, and later acquired the Alcester estate.

Bridges was an active soldier in the Parliamentary army in the Civil War. In April 1644, he conveyed ammunition into Gloucester while it was under siege from the Royalists. On 11 May 1644 the House of Commons ordered John Bridges, major of foot, to be added to the Committee of Worcestershire on 30 March 1645. They gave him a vote of thanks " for his great services," and appointed him Governor of Warwick Castle and Town on 12 May 1645. He was made Colonel of Boseville's regiment of foot on 24 June 1645. He took part in the siege of Worcester under Colonel Edward Whalley, and was a parliamentary commissioner to receive its surrender in July 1646.