St Nicholas Church and John Hampden

We rang for the unveiling of two restored artefacts at St Nicholas’ Church in Great Kimble: a facsimile of the 1635 Document signed by John Hampden returning the tax warrant unpaid to the High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire and the Great Kimble Village Sign, which hung in the churchyard.

In January 1635 St Nicholas' Church was the site of a very significant event in the nation's history when the local MP John Hampden and his tenants met and decided to refuse to pay the Ship Money Tax because it was imposed without the assent of Parliament. The consequences of this event were ultimately the recall of parliament followed by the failed attempt by the King to arrest John Hampden and four other MPs. This is commemorated to this day at the state opening of parliament by the doors to the House of Commons being slammed shut, causing Black Rod to have to request entry.

The consequence was the English Civil War, the execution of the king and the establishment of parliamentary primacy.

The artefacts were unveiled by The Earl of Buckinghamshire, in the presence of members of The John Hampden Society, The Sealed Knot, and parishioners of Great and Little Kimble Parish.

Our good friend Roger Howgate, our local historian and his wife Sue were instigators of this and their granddaughter restored the sign and a fine job she has made of it too.