A strong Presbyterian, Sir Harbottle Grimston represented Colchester in the Long Parliament. He was one of the members excluded by Pride's Purge (6 Dec 1648). On the king's execution he left England, and remained abroad for several years. In 1656 he was elected Member of Parliament for Essex, but was excluded from the House. On 25 Apr 1660, he was elected Speaker of the Convention Parliament. He was also one of the commissioners sent to Charles II at Breda. For his services at the Restoration, he was, in November 1660, created Master of the Rolls. During the reign of Charles II he distinguished himself by asserting the right of the Commons to chose their own speaker (1679) and by his hostility to the Catholics. [2; 3; 4] |