Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon

Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon (1609-1674), was born on 18 February 1609. He attended Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and became a barrister at Middle Temple in 1633. Hyde represented Saltash in the Long Parliament. He joined Charles I at York in 1642, and drew up the King's declarations during the next three years. He became a privy councillor and chancellor of the exchequer in 1643, and played a leading role in negotiations with the parliamentarians, notably at Uxbridge in 1645. He was an important member of Prince Charles' council in the west in 1645, and travelled with the prince to the continent in 1646, becoming his chief advisor and, in 1658, lord chancellor. He was chancellor of Oxford, 1660-1667, and was created Baron Hyde in 1660, and Viscount Cornbury and Earl of Clarendon in 1661. Hyde was dismissed from office in 1667, and, facing impeachment, fled to France. He died at Rouen on 9 December 1674.