Thomas Chaloner

a younger son (yet elder than James Chaloner before mention’d) of Sir Tho. Chaloner Knight, was born ((*))((*)) Reg. Matric. P. pag. 436. in Buckinghamshire (at Steeple-Claydon near Buckingham as it seems) became a Sojournor of Exeter Coll. in the beginning of 1611, aged 16 years, but before he took a degree he left the College, and what was fit to accomplish his natural parts, which were good, were not omitted by his Father. He afterwards travelled into France, Italy and Germany, and returned a well bred Gentleman, but ting’d, as it seems, with antimonarchical Principles, if not worse. About that time he setled at, or near, Gisburgh in Yorkshire, where there is an Estate belonging to the Name and Family, was elected a Burgess for a Corporation in Yorksh. to serve in the Long Parliament, about 1643, wherein he became a frequent Speaker, an enemy to the King, his Family, and Government, and a great stickler for their new Utopian Commonwealth. All which he did partly out of his natural inclination, and partly out of revenge for the loss which his Father endured (and so consequently he) for being deprived of the propriety of the Alum Mines in Yorkshire, which he had discovered about the latter end of Qu. Elizabeth. In 1647, he with Col. Jo. Temple were appointed Commissioners of Parliament in Mounster, was one of the Kings Judges in 1648, and soon after made a member of the Council of State. In 1658 he was elected a Burgess for Scarborough in Yorkshire, to serve in that Parliament called by Richard, to meet at Westm. 27 of Jan.; but afterwards shewing himself a zealous Rumper, upon the turning out of the Fag. end of that Parliament called the Rump by Col. Jo. Lambert and his Party, on the 13 of Oct. 1659, he was committed to Prison by Ch. Fleetwood then made Commander in chief of all the Forces in England, where continuing till 27 of Decemb. following, was then released by the Members of the Rump Parliament, who had retaken their places the day before, and on the 2 of Jan. following he was appointed by the House one of the Council of State. This Tho. Chaloner was as far from a Puritan or Presbyterian, as the East is from the West, for he was a boon Companion, was of Harry Marten’s gang, was of the natural Religion, and loved to enjoy the comfortable importances of this life, without any regard of laying up for a wet day, which at his last he wanted. The things that he hath published are these.

An Answer to the Scotch Papers delivered in the H. of Commons concerning the disposal of the King’s person. Lond. 1646. qu. In answer to which divers did exercise their pens, some scoffingly and some in earnest; whereupon came out this Pamphlet intit.

The justification of a safe and well-grounded Answer to the Scottish papers printed under the name of Mr. Chaloner his Speech (or Answer) which doth maintain the honour of the Parliament and interest of the Kingdom of England. Lond. 1646. qu. Written as ’twas usually said by Tho. Chaloner. Afterwards came out against Chaloner,—Lex talionis: or, a Declaration against Mr. Chaloner, the Crimes of the times, and the Manners of you know whom. Lond. 1647. in one sh. in qu. and also An answer to a Speech without doers: or, animadversions upon an unsafe and dangerous Answer to the Scotch Papers under the name of Mr. Chaloner his Speech, &c. in one sh. in qu.

A true and exact relation of the strange finding out of Moses his tomb, in a Valley near unto Mount Nebo in Palestina, &c. Lond. 1657. in about 3 sheets in oct. This book, at its first appearance, made a great noise, and pus [•] ed the Presbyterian Rabbies for a time: at length the Author thereof being known, and his story found to be a meer sham, the book became ridiculous and was put to posteriour uses. At length in the beginning of the year 1660, upon a foresight that King Ch. 2. would be restored, he therefore (knowing very well that his former actions would not endu [•] e the touchstone) withdrew himself beyond the seas, and setling in a fearful condition at Middleburgh in Zeeland, died and was buried there about sixteen hundred sixty and one.1661. Since my writing of this I find that this Mr. Chaloner published A speech containing a plea for Monarchy, an. 1 [•] 59. But therein being several Restrictions, came out an Answer to it by way of Address to General George Monke.