Hampden, John (1594-1643), was a leader of the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War (1642-1646 and 1648). In 1626, he refused to pay a forced loan to King Charles I and was jailed. Ten years later, he was again prosecuted for refusing to pay ship money, which was a tax previously levied only on coastal areas, but extended by Charles to the whole country. Hampden became a national hero.
From then on, Hampden took a leading part in Parliament’s efforts to curb the king’s powers. In 1642, Charles tried to arrest him and four other members. Charles failed, and the Civil War broke out. Hampden was mortally wounded at the Battle of Chalgrove Field. He was born in London.
