William Prynne was born
in Swanswick, near Bath, in about 1602. After completing his education
at Oxford University Prynne became a lawyer.
Prynne was a
Puritan
and he was highly critical
of the religious policies of Charles
I. As a result
he was branded on both cheeks with S L (seditious libeller).
In 1637 Prynne, Henry
Burton and John Bastwick had their
ears cut off for writing pamphlets attacking the religious views of
the William Laud, the Archbishop
of Canterbury.
Prynne
was released from prison in 1640 and during the Civil
War supported the Parliamentary army. In 1648 he was elected to
the House of Commons.
However, he was also critical
of the policies of Oliver Cromwell
and was imprisoned for his outspoken opposition to the decision to
execute Charles
I.
After the Restoration
Prynne was appointed by Charles
II as the
royal archivist in the Tower of London.
William Prynne died in 1669.
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