Committee for Plundered Ministers

The Committee of Plundered Ministers was set up by the Puritan party in 1643, during the English Civil War, for the purpose of replacing those clergy who were loyal to the King. THese displaced clergy were described as 'scandalous', though this mainly related to their political and theological views. The Committee heard evidence, often from local parishioners, of the misdeeds of the parish priest. If the allegations were proved, the rector would be removed from his position, and his goods and monies sequestrated. Dr Henry Watkins was the Rector of Sutton-upon-Brailes, Gloucestershire (transferred to the county of Warwickshire in 1844).