Pardon of Sir John Gell by King Charles II

This document is one of several pardons which Sir John Gell received as a result of the English Civil War.

Sir John Gell (1539-1671) of Hopton Hall in Derbyshire was the eldest son of Thomas Gell and Millicent Sacheverell. During the English Civil War, Sir John Gell chose to support Parliament, raised a regiment in Derbyshire and fought in several battles. He was appointed as Governor of Derby in 1643. He became disillusioned with the parliamentary cause, however, and in 1646 his regiment was disbanded and he was relieved of all his appointments. He contacted the king to ask for pardon and in 1650, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London for not revealing a Royalist plot to the authorities. In 1653 he received a pardon and was released. After the Restoration, he was also pardoned by King Charles II.