John Birch (soldier)

Colonel John Birch (7 September 1615 – 10 May 1691) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1691. He fought for the Parliamentary cause in the English civil war.

Birch played a significant role in the battle of Cropredy Bridge, Oxfordshire on 29 June 1644.

On 18 December 1645, Parliamentarians under the command of Birch and Colonel Morgan captured the City of Hereford.

In 1646 Birch besieged and captured Goodrich Castle from the Royalist Sir Henry Lingen. He was also elected Member of Parliament for Leominster as a recruiter to the Long Parliament. He was re-elected MP for Leominster in 1654, 1656, 1659 and 1660.

Following the Restoration, Birch was elected MP for Penryn in the Cavalier Parliament. He was elected MP for Weobley in the two elections of 1679, in 1681, 1689 and 1690.

Birch is buried in a monumental tomb in Weobley Church.

One of the regiments of the Sealed Knot historical reenactment association is Col. John Birch's Regiment.

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