William Lenthall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Speaker of the House of Commons | |
| In office 26 December 1659[1] – 16 March 1660[1] | |
| Monarch | (Interregnum) |
| Preceded by | William Say (temporary) |
| Succeeded by | Sir Harbottle Grimston |
| In office 7 May 1659[1] – 13 October 1659[1] | |
| Monarch | (Interregnum) |
| Preceded by | Thomas Bampfylde |
| Succeeded by | William Say (temporary during Lenthall's illness) |
| In office 4 September 1654[1] – 22 January 1655[1] | |
| Monarch | (Interregnum) |
| Preceded by | The Rev. Francis Rous |
| Succeeded by | Sir Thomas Widdrington |
| In office 6 August 1647[1] – 20 April 1653[1] | |
| Monarch | Charles I / (Interregnum) |
| Preceded by | Henry Pelham (temporary) |
| Succeeded by | The Rev. Francis Rous |
| In office 3 November 1640[1] – 30 July 1647[1] | |
| Monarch | Charles I |
| Preceded by | Sir John Glanville |
| Succeeded by | Henry Pelham (temporary, during Lenthall's abandonment of the Speakership) |
| Master of the Rolls | |
| In office 1643[1]–1660[1] | |
| Monarch | Charles I / (Interregnum) |
| Commissioner of the Great Seal | |
| In office 1646[1]–1648[1] | |
| Monarch | Charles I |
| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | |
| In office 1645[1]–1648[1] | |
| Monarch | Charles I |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1591[1] Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire |
| Died | 3 September 1662[1] |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Evans, by 1619[1] |
| Children | at least 2 sons and 2 daughters[1] |
| Education | St Alban Hall University of Oxford, Lincoln's Inn |
William Lenthall (1591–1662) was an English politician of the Civil War period. He served as Speaker of the House of Commons for a period of almost twenty years, both before and after the execution of King Charles I.
He is best remembered for his defiance of the king on 4 January 1642 when Charles entered the chamber of the House of Commons, supported by 400 armed men, in an attempt to seize five members whom he accused of treason. When Charles asked Lenthall where the five were, Lenthall famously replied "I have neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak in this place but as this House is pleased to direct me". It was the first time in English history that a speaker of the House of Commons had declared his allegiance to the liberty of parliament rather than the will of the monarch.