Tuesday 2 October 2012

Who shot Richard Percival?

It has been suggested that Thomas Tyldesley 1612-1651 was responsible for the first death of the English Civil War, with the shooting of a linen weaver named Richard Perceval at Manchester on 15 July 1642. Certainly proceedings were begun against Thomas Tyldesley for the killing. However, on 11 August 1642 the House of Commons ordered the judges in Lancashire to cease the action:
Respiting Trials. Ordered, That the Judges of the County of Lancaster, and the other Officers whom it may concern, be required to respite the Tryal and Proceedings against Tho. Tildesley Esquire, who, as this House is informed, slew the Man at Manchester, and all other Proceedings concerning that Fact, until this House shall take farther Order herein; this Case concerning the Privilege of Parliament [FN1].

1. House of Commons Journal Volume 2: 11 August 1642