John Colepeper, 1st Baron Colepeper

John Colepeper of Bedgebery, 1st Baron Culpeper of Thoresway (c. 1600 – 11 June 1660) was an English politician.

He was the only son of Thomas Culpeper of Wigsell manor,Bodiam, East Sussex (1561 - 19 September 1613) and Anne Slaney (c. 1575 - before 26 February 1602), daughter of Sir Stephan Slaney, Lord Mayor of London. The Colepepers (the name is thought to derive from the plant) resided in Sussex for many years, and as early as the reign of King Edward III were serving in administrative capacities (particularly as sheriff) in Kent and Sussex.

John Colepeper began his career in military service abroad, and came first into public notice at home through his knowledge of country affairs, being summoned often before the council board to give evidence on such matters. He was knighted, and after representing Rye in the Short Parliament in April 1640 was elected member later in the year for Kent in the Long Parliament. He then he took the popular side, speaking against monopolies on 9 November 1640, being entrusted with the impeachment of Sir Robert Berkeley on 12 February 1641, supporting Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford's attainder, and being appointed to the committee of defence on 12 August 1641.

He separated, however, from the popular party on the Church question, owing to political rather than religious objections, fearing the effect of the revolutionary changes which were now contemplated. He opposed the London petition for the abolition of episcopacy, the project of religious union with the Scots, and the Root and Branch Bill, and on 1 September he moved a resolution in defence of the prayer-book. In the following session he opposed the militia bill and the Grand Remonstrance, and finally on 2 January 1642 he joined the party of King Charles I, taking office as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

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