Alexander Shields

Alexander Shields or Sheilds (January 1660 – 1700) was a Scottish nonconformist minister, activist, and author.

The son of James Shields or Sheilds, he was born at Haughhead, parish of Earlston, Berwickshire, about 1660. He entered at Edinburgh University at an early age, and graduated M.A. on 7 April 1675, writing his surname "Sheils". He later wrote it "Sheilds"; it is often printed "Shields". He began the study of divinity under Lawrence Charteris, but his opposition to prelacy led him, with others, to migrate in 1679 to Holland. He studied theology at the University of Utrecht, entering in 1680 as "Sheill".

Returning to Scotland, Shields made his way to London, where he is said to have acted as amanuensis to John Owen. Supported by Nicholas Blaikie, minister of the Scottish church at Founders' Hall, Lothbury, he was licensed as preacher by Scottish presbyterians in London, declining as a Covenanter the oath of allegiance. Strict measures being taken shortly after (1684) for the enforcement of the oath, Sheilds proclaimed its sinfulness, and his licensers threatened to withdraw their licence.

Shields appears to have bound himself by the Apologetical Declaration issued by James Renwick in November 1684. On Sunday, 11 January 1685, he was apprehended, with seven others, by the city marshal at a conventicle in Embroiderers' Hall, Gutter Lane, Cheapside, and brought before the lord mayor, who took bail for his appearance at the London Guildhall on the 14th. He attended on that day, but being out of court when his name was called, his bail was forfeited. Duly appearing on the 20th, he declined to give any general account of his opinions, and was committed (by his own account, decoyed) to Newgate Prison till the next quarter sessions (23 February). King Charles II died in the interval.

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