Roger From Hunstanton And His Battles For The Kings

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The secret meeting with the seaman at the Pastons’ in Appleton was nearly fatal for Roger from Hunstanton. The seaman (perhaps sensibly) decided that the risk wasn’t worth it and betrayed Roger to the authorities.

The local aristocrat who was nearly hanged for treason in 1645, went on to become a person of significant national influence in his later years. Roger L’Estrange (1616-1704) was a prominent and controversial figure in 17th century England, latterly known for his unwavering royalist support, political writings, and role in shaping Restoration print culture. But it could easily have turned out so differently.


Roger L’Estrange: Early Life and Civil War Involvement

Roger L’Estrange was born in 1616 in Hunstanton, Norfolk. His family, the L’Estranges, were prominent gentry with deep historical ties to the monarchy and local governance. His father, Sir Hamon L’Estrange, was a respected historian whose writings defended the Church of England and royal prerogatives. Sir Hamon served as Sheriff and Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, and was allied to the Dukes of Norfolk, serving as a Member of Parliament in a seat under their control. Growing up in this environment, Roger was exposed to debates on authority, religion, and governance, which shaped his lifelong loyalty to the crown. He also received a classical education (Eton, and Cambridge University), which later proved invaluable in his literary pursuits.

As tensions between the crown and parliament escalated in the first half of the seventeenth century, L’Estrange’s commitment to the royalist cause became increasingly evident. He travelled with Charles I to Scotland in 1639. When the English Civil War broke out in 1642, both father and son supported the king in the First Civil War (1642-43). He would almost certainly have supported his father in the Siege of King’s Lynn (1643).

This latter conflict held particular significance for L’Estrange and his family. The Siege of King’s Lynn was especially noteworthy, as L’Estrange’s father, Hamon, took control of the town council and declared for the king in August 1643. This success demonstrated the family’s influence and commitment to the royalist cause in their home region of Norfolk. However, the royalist hold on King’s Lynn proved short-lived, as it fell to parliamentary forces just six weeks later in September. Lynn became a well-defended Parliamentarian garrison town for a number of years.


Roger L’Estrange: Capture and Imprisonment


In 1644, L’Estrange’s royalist zeal led to a pivotal moment in his life. Determined to regain control of King’s Lynn for the royalists, he attempted to instigate an armed uprising in the town. This bold and extremely risky move demonstrated L’Estrange’s unwavering commitment to the king’s cause, as well showing how that commitment may have clouded his judgement. He visited Charles I in Oxford and managed to obtain £1,000 to finance the town’s revolt, but L’Estrange was betrayed by a local Sea Captain (Leaman) who was meant to be organising the uprising.

Roger L'Estrange
Sir Roger L’Estrange, attributed to John Michael Wright, oil on canvas, circa 1680, © National Portrait Gallery, London

L’Estrange was captured by parliamentary forces and sent to London to face trial as a traitor. He was found guilty and was sentenced to death by hanging. Facing imminent execution, L’Estrange made several appeals for reprieve. His efforts to avoid the gallows were aided by a letter from Prince Rupert to the Earl of Essex, highlighting the importance of personal connections and influence in 17th-century politics.


Thanks to these interventions, L’Estrange’s death sentence was commuted. However, he did not escape punishment entirely and was imprisoned in Newgate, for nearly four years. This period of confinement had little effect on his royalist zeal. In early 1648, L’Estrange either escaped or was released from Newgate. The exact circumstances of his departure from prison remain somewhat unclear. However, as soon as he regained his freedom, L’Estrange travelled to Kent and took part in an uprising against the Parliamentary Government.


After the royalist defeat in 1649, L’Estrange went into exile in Holland. While abroad, he was employed serving Charles II by the future Earl of Clarendon. During this period, he spent time in a cardinal’s household, where his musical talents were appreciated. This experience highlights an often-overlooked aspect of L’Estrange’s character – his artistic sensibilities. Despite the Catholic environment, L’Estrange’s commitment to the Church of England remained unshaken, a testament to his strong religious convictions.

In 1653, Oliver Cromwell granted him a pardon, allowing him to return to England. He kept a low profile during the Interregnum.


Roger L’Estrange: Political and Literary Career


Following the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, L’Estrange’s years of loyalty and sacrifice were finally rewarded by Charles II.

In 1663 the king appointed L’Estrange Surveyor of the Press – a position that gave him considerable influence over the publication and distribution of printed materials. He was, in effect, censor for the king. In this role L’Estrange wielded significant power over the flow of information in Restoration England. He was responsible for licensing publications, monitoring the content of printed materials, and prosecuting those who violated censorship laws. This position allowed him to shape public discourse and suppress dissenting opinions, making him a controversial figure among those who advocated for greater press freedom. Known as “the Bloodhound of the Press”, L’Estrange aggressively pursued unauthorised printers and writers critical of the monarchy or Anglican Church.

In his 1663 treatise, Considerations and Proposals in Order to the Regulation of the Press, L’Estrange articulated his vision for controlling the printed word. He argued that unchecked printing threatened social order, equating the spread of seditious ideas to the spread of disease. This metaphor underscored his belief that censorship was essential to preserving both political stability and moral order. While his proposals reflected royalist priorities, they also sparked enduring debates about the balance between authority and freedom of expression.

A printer at work

He became a prolific pamphleteer and journalist, using his writing skills to promote royalist ideology and counter opposing views. L’Estrange wrote extensively in support of the monarchy and against dissenting voices, establishing himself as one of the most prominent political writers of the Restoration period. As a journalist, L’Estrange founded and edited several influential publications, including “The Intelligencer” and “The News.” His publication, “The Observator”, effectively countered political opposition while reflecting his dedication to the monarchy, showcasing his ability to blend rhetoric and humour in pamphleteering. His writing style was characterised by sharp wit, biting satire, and a willingness to engage in personal attacks against his opponents.

L’Estrange’s writings reveal the complex religious and political landscape of Restoration England. He frequently emphasised the use of religious justifications for political violence, reflecting the intertwining of religion and politics in 17th-century society. L’Estrange argued that accusations of “popery” (Roman Catholicism) were often used as a political tool against the monarchy, highlighting the role of anti-Catholic sentiment in shaping political debates. Much of his career was spent countering claims of Catholic influence in government, demonstrating the persistent fears and suspicions surrounding Catholicism in Protestant England. These arguments were central to royalist propaganda during politically charged moments like the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis (1678–1681). Despite moderating anti-Catholic rhetoric as Surveyor of the Press, he also personally criticised dissenters like Presbyterians for undermining royal authority.

L’Estrange’s literary output extended beyond political pamphlets and journalism. He was also a prolific translator, producing English versions of works by classical authors such as Cicero, Seneca, and Aesop. These translations not only showcased his scholarly abilities but also allowed him to interpret and present ancient texts in ways that supported his political views.


Roger L’Estrange: Decline During The Glorious Revolution

Despite serving as an MP for Winchester from 1685 to 1689, and although being knighted in 1685, his popularity with the crown started to fall under James II’s reign. His staunch hostility to religious nonconformism conflicted with James’s goals of religious tolerance for both Catholics and Nonconformists. 

The Glorious Revolution (1688), which replaced James II with William III and Mary II, reversed L’Estrange’s fortunes. As a Jacobite loyal to James II, he refused to swear allegiance to William III and was briefly imprisoned on charges of distributing treasonous pamphlets. He was also excluded from the Act of Indemnity in 1690, and he spent his final years writing pamphlets defending Stuart legitimacy while living in relative obscurity.

To his contemporaries, Roger L’Estrange was a polarising figure – celebrated by royalists for his steadfastness and vilified by opponents for his authoritarianism.  L’Estrange’s experiences offer a unique window into the personal, political, and ideological struggles that defined one of the most tumultuous periods in English history.

© James Rye 2025

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