John Coucher

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John Coucher (born 1561) was an English merchant and politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1604 and 1648.

Coucher was the son of John Coucher of Worcester. He was a citizen and weaver and was appointed first of the first assistants of the Clothier's Company on 23 September 1590. He was bailiff of Worcester in 1593 and 1595.[1]

In 1604 Coucher was elected Member of Parliament for Worcester. He was re-elected MP for Worcester in 1614, 1621 and 1624.[2] He was an alderman of Worcester in 1621.[1] In 1628 he was re-elected again for Worcester and sat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.[2] Coucher was fined £10 on 4 March 1631 for not taking a knighthood at the coronation.[1]

At the age of 79, Coucher was re-elected MP for Worcester for the Short Parliament in April 1640 and again for the Long Parliament in November 1640.[2] He tried hard to get out of the election but could not. He probably never took his seat in the Long Parliament because of his age, and was constantly excused his attendance. He was still living in 1648.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d W R Williams The Parliamentary History of the County of Worcester
  2. ^ a b c Willis, Browne (1750). Notitia Parliamentaria, Part II: A Series or Lists of the Representatives in the several Parliaments held from the Reformation 1541, to the Restoration 1660 ... London. pp. 229–239.
Parliament of England
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Worcester
1604–1624
With: Christopher Deighton 1604
Rowland Berkeley 1605
Thomas Chettle 1614
Robert Berkeley 1621–1624
Succeeded by
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Worcester
1628–1629
With: John Haselock
Parliament suspended until 1640
Vacant Member of Parliament for Worcester
1640–1648
With: John Nash
Not represented in Barebones Parliament